Epperson Lagoon is a man-made tourist attraction located in Wesley Chapel, Florida, consisting of a 7.5-acre (3.0 ha) man-made lake and beach featuring clean, clear, purified water, and known as the first crystalline lagoon in the United States.[1] The lagoon features a beach, swim-up bar, water slide, climbing wall, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and an entertainment pavilion with a stadium-sized LED screen.[2]

The 16-million-US-gallon (61,000,000 L; 13,000,000 imp gal) body of water[3] utilizes advanced systems and sensors to monitor water quality, including physicochemical indicators.[2] The mechanical and hydraulic systems to clean and pump water are controlled through a cloud-based control center.[2] Water to fill the lagoon was purchased from the Pasco County government, and limited to a rate of 100,000 US gallons (380,000 L; 83,000 imp gal) a day to prevent stress on aquifers or cause sinkholes from rapid depletion of the ground water table.[4]

Epperson Lagoon is the central feature in a planned housing development consisting of approximately 1,500 homes; homeowners and daily use fees support the maintenance and management of the lagoon.[5] The lagoon is open to the general public for a daily use fee.[6]

The lagoon is manufactured by Crystal Lagoons USA, headquartered in Dallas, Texas and Miami, Florida.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Hey, that Crystal Lagoon finally is open to swimmers". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  2. ^ a b c "Award of Merit, Sports/Entertainment: The Lagoon at Epperson | 2019-10-23 | Engineering News-Record". www.enr.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  3. ^ Olick, Diana (2020-02-13). "Caribbean-like lagoons give homebuyers the benefits of the beach without the risk". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  4. ^ "Water begins to flow into giant man-made lagoon". FOX 13 Tampa Bay. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  5. ^ "Construction of giant Crystal Lagoon swimming pool in Wesley Chapel finally begins after delays". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  6. ^ Monzon, Natalie (2024-02-04). "Day Trip to Epperson Lagoon for Fun in the Sun". Orlando Date Night Guide. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  7. ^ Steele, Jeffrey. "Cold Plunge Pools, Crystal Lagoons Hold Water As Residential Assets". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-11.