Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report
January 27, 2009:
According to the USACE web
site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 13.47’
NGVD, which is 0.17’ lower than a week ago, 0.58’ lower than a
month ago, and 3.37’ higher than it was a year ago. The current
stage is 1.22’ below the historical average for this date and 0.09’
below the simulated average using the current regulation schedule
(LORS2008). Total reported inflows are 370 cfs
and are limited to flows through S65E. Total reported outflows are 1095 cfs and include environmental releases to the
Caloosahatchee River (285 cfs), water-supply releases
through the S351, S352, and S354 (810 cfs).
Flow data to the L8 at Canal Point and through the S308 are missing.
A small (approx. 3 acres in
size) population of the invasive old world climbing fern (Lygodium
microphyllum) has been reported growing in the
littoral zone near Moore Haven. This is the first report of this species
on the lake, and dry conditions in recent years likely facilitated its
establishment. Ground crews are treating the infestation, which is
expected to be eradicated with repeated treatments. This same crew is
treating other invasive plants, including scattered Melaleuca
and Brazilian Pepper, throughout the littoral zone.
An interagency meeting was
held last Friday to begin developing a fire management program for Lake Okeechobee. Representatives from SFWMD, FFWCC,
DOF, and Audubon of Florida were in attendance. The objective of the plan
is to identify environmentally beneficial methods and frequencies for
conducting controlled burns in the lake littoral zone and the means of
implementing such a program. A draft plan is expected to be available
this spring.
Back to Lake Okeechobee Operations
Main Page
Back to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
LORSS Homepage