Hillsborough County, Fla. (May 29, 2025) - The boat ramp at Edward Medard Conservation Park will close indefinitely beginning Monday, June 9, while the Southwest Florida Water Management District partially draws down the Medard Reservoir.
On June 7, the water management district will begin drawing down the reservoir level by approximately 3 to 4 feet to test the performance of the drainage system installed during 2022. Hillsborough County will need to close the boat ramp as a result of the decreased water level. Access for smaller vessels such as canoes or kayaks should not be affected.
The water management district does not currently have a timeline for when the 700-acre reservoir will be allowed to refill to its normal operating level.
Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City, FL 33567, is operated by Hillsborough County, but the property, including the reservoir, is owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.