Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report January 15, 2008:

 

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 10.09’ NGVD, which is 0.04’ lower than a week ago and 0.23’ lower than a month ago.  The current stage is 1.88’ lower than it was a year ago and 4.68’ below its historical average for this time of year.  Inflows from the Kissimmee River (S65E) continue at approximately 250 cfs and periodic outflows to the Lake Istokpoga Service Area are occurring through the G207 and G208. 

 

In December, 24 of the 27 water quality sampling sites had sufficient water for sampling.  Preliminary lakewide, TP averaged 97 ppb and TSS averaged 21 mg/L.  These concentrations are lower than those measured in November.  Preliminary average TP at nearshore sites decreased from 80 ppb in November to 54 ppb in December and TSS decreased 19 mg/L to 10.5 mg/L.

 

The monthly submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was completed last week.  The macroalga Chara remains the dominant SAV species and was found at 12 of the 24 sites sampled.  This distribution is lower than that reported in November, with slight reductions in the density of Chara despite continued good to excellent water clarity (secchi depths 50-100% of total depths). One species of vascular SAV, Vallisneria americana, continues to be present in very low density at a few sites behind King’s Bar on the northern shoreline. 

 


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