Residents in a community on the Clermont Chain of Lakes say every time it rains, their streets flood and water seeps into their yards.
It’s leading to a battle over the lake’s water level.
"We had to sandbag the boat ramp to control flooding into the parking lots and homes,” said James Pirino.
Pirino is one of about 200 residents who live in Emerald Lakes on Lake Palatlakaha near Highway 50.
The 55 and up resident-owned mobile home park is part of the Chain of Lakes that includes Lake Minnehaha, Lake Minneola and Lake Louisa.
Pirino says for the last year they’ve had to deal with flooding issues because the current water level of Lake Minnehaha is too high.
He says with the water level being maintained at 97 ft. above sea level. When it rains, the water damages their community.
"We don't need a hurricane or a tropical storm system to cause flooding, just thunderstorms and passing weather fronts,” said Pirino.
Lake County Water Authority officials say Lake Minnehaha is kept at a regulatory range of 96 ft. to 97.5 ft. above sea level. Emerald Lakes residents want officials to open the Cherry Lake Dam and let water out to lower the level of Lake Minnehaha by one foot.
All the Clermont Chain of Lakes follow the Lake Minnehaha water level standards.
But not everyone wants the water level lowered. Water Authority officials say others who live on the Clermont Chain of Lakes are happy to see the water level back up after years of low levels.
"We're in a no-win situation. If we try to accommodate the Emerald Lakes community then we're going to get the vast majority of the people who live around those lakes screaming mad at us,” said Michael Perry, the executive director of the Lake County Water Authority.
Perry and other water authority officials met with Emerald Lakes residents on Wednesday afternoon to hear them out.