On November 9, 2006, the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) declared a mandatory Phase I water shortage (effective Nov. 17) for the Lake Okeechobee Service Area (LOSA). By mid March, that order was upgraded to Phase II (effective March 22), and was upgraded again to modified Phase III for the Everglades Agricultural Area portion of the basin, and Phase II for the remainder of LOSA, in April. Starting in May, Modified Phase III restrictions apply throughout the area. LOSA includes the Everglades Agricultural Area, and portions of Hendry, Glades, Lee, Okeechobee, and western Palm Beach and Martin Counties (LOSA Map).
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Lake Okeechobee water level as of
Jul 25, 2008
10.53 ft.
About 3 ft. below historical average for this time of year.
When water levels in Lake Okeechobee reach 10.2 feet, the force of gravity will no longer direct the flow of water through existing structures. The District expedited the installation of temporary forward pumps to mitigate the impact of drought on the area's agricultural users.
Classified as a modified Phase III, or extreme declaration, the order will predominantly impact agricultural, industrial and commercial water users as well as public water supply utilities around the Lake; withdrawals from the Caloosahatchee River; and a relatively small number of residential users whose water source is Lake Okeechobee or any of the surface water canals recharged by the Lake. Groundwater sources are not restricted by this order, and users are allowed to utilize groundwater in accordance with their permits.
FAQs - Water Shortage
LOSA Water Shortage Mgmt
Northern Everglades
