Save Lake George
"Lake George is about to be changed forever due to siphoning off of the 
surface water of the St. John's River south of the lake."
Protectors of Lake George

Lake George is one of Volusia County's best kept secrets. Lake George, which supports a multitude of fresh water species, also supports many fishes and species that normally live in salt water. The lake has a higher salt content, that allows an environment for a great variety of wildlife not usually maintained for a fresh water lake so far inland from the ocean. 

It is also the last place the Atlantic tide reaches on it's southern flow. On a given day except for those just traveling through, you don't see many boats. On weekends you see a fair amount on the Lake County side where Silver Glen Springs and Salt Springs off beauty and recreation via the river or Lake county public parks.  
This needs to change. The residents of Volusia county need more access to this fantastic lake because access leads to appreciation and then to protection and preservation. There is a real threat to this magnificent lake which is, of course, part of the St. John's River system. 
There is the very real possibility that the lower and middle basin of the St. John's river is going to be used as a new source of fresh water. The plans to pump millions of gallons possibly more than 155 million gallons a day according to the St. John's Water Management Agency. Removing this fresh water out of the river before it ever makes it's way to Volusia County. 
They call this "excess" surface water. Mostly it will be used to supplement the over developed, and crowded regions in the Orlando area. Even Volusia county has it's eye on the surface water and is developing plans to siphon off even more...millions of gallons. One permit has already been issued and others are in the investigation stages. 
This will result in a permanent change the amount of water flowing northward, increase the concentration of pollutants and possibly change the mixture of fresh and salt content found in the lake. 
To siphon off the surface water could lead to the eventual decline and possible destruction of the lake's habitat. No one really knows for sure what is going to happen but it's likely that the drawing of surface water will continue and grow in intensity in the future. 
This could be a disaster for Lake George and the upper basin of the St. John's River as well. There are sure to be many other undesirable consequences if these plans are allowed to move forward without objection. The public need to be educated to help stop these plans now, before they are set into action. At least until the plans have been put to a vote by the people. 

We need to preserve our great treasure and one way to preserve it is to give our residents more access to Lake George. 
More access may lead to more use but allowing our residents to see it, experience it, and learn about it can also create the desire to preserve it and protect it. 
Contact County Officials and voice your disapproval of this use of surface water: Click Here 

According to the State of Florida: there is a salt marsh located near the eastern shore with a salty pond.
Complete data profile including water analysis Click Here

About Lake George (from Wikipedia):
Lake George is a broad and shallow lake on the St. Johns River in the U.S. state of Florida. It is six miles (10 km) wide and over eleven miles (18 km) long, with an average depth of 8 feet (2.5 m). The west side of the lake is encompassed in the Ocala National Forest. Three major spring groups flow into Lake George on the west side. Salt Springs enters the northwest side of the lake through the 4.3 mile (7 km) Salt Creek. Silver Glen Springs enters the lake about midway down on the west side, and multiple springs comprise Juniper Creek that flows into Lake George on the southwest side, with Juniper Springs at the headwater of the creek. The large island on the north side of the lake is Drayton Island.

Lake George is the second largest lake in Florida, after Lake Okeechobee. Lake George was the third largest lake behind Lake Apopka, but conversion of the littoral zone on the northern side of Lake Apopka to farm fields in the previous century reduced it's surface area.

There is an operational U.S. Military bombing range called Pine Castle Bombing Range located in the Ocala National Forest just west of Lake George and a designated bombing range in the lake itself. The bombing ranges date back to WWII, when the Navy built bomb targets in Lake George and nearby Crescent Lake, and stationed personnel in the area to maintain the targets and perform search and rescue operations for downed pilots.

The lake also hosts a wide variety of wildlife ranging from migratory water birds and alligators to a number of normally marine animals. Local springs in Lake George (and throughout the St Johns River) impart enough salt to the system to make the habitat suitable to resident and migratory marine species like Atlantic stingray, various species of mullet, striped bass and blue crabs. There is a large enough blue crab population to support a local fishery, making it one of the only fresh water blue crab fisheries in the world.

Location Florida
Coordinates 29°17′12″N, 81°35′53″WCoordinates: 29°17′12″N, 81°35′53″W
Primary sources Salt Creek, Silver Glen Springs
Basin countries United States
Max length 11 mi (18 km)
Max width 6 mi (10 km)
Average depth 8 ft (2.5 m)
Islands Drayton Island