WCA - Everglades Conditions Update

(Feb. 19, 2008)

 

Rainfall:

Rainfall was heavy over the Greater Everglades , especially in the north (see Raindar.gif). WCA-1 rainfall for the week was 4.3”; WCA2 was 4.0”; WCA-3A was 3.7” and the ENP received the least amount of rain, but still greater than  ET, at 1.7”.

 

Water Conservation Areas:

POOR dry-season recession rates dominate the entire region (see WCA_stages.xls). Reversals dominate everywhere due to the heavy rain. Maximum increase in stage was 0.43 ft at gauge 63 (NE WCA-3A). Minimum stage increase was 0.09 ft at Gauge 76 (northern WCA-3B). Despite the reversals, the water depth criteria for water bird foraging remained much the same as last week. Stages in WCA-1 are now above Regulation, WCA-2A marsh remains above regulation (note: canal levels dropped sharply due the opening of the S-11’s), and WCA-3 stages are now only slightly below regulation. Stages are now greater than they were a month ago (see WCA_reg_stages.doc).

 

Everglades National Park:

ENP wetland water levels increased in response to this precipitation.  Shark River Sl. (station P33) and southern Taylor Sl. (at Craighead Pond) both posted water levels up by approx 1” from last week’s readings.  The most significant rise was observed at the Taylor Sl. Bridge, where it increased by nearly 14” over the 7 d period (see Stages_pdf). Stage increased by a more modest amount (0.4”) in the ENP panhandle (station EVER6) where less rain was recorded.

 

Despite the rain, salinity concentrations remained generally stable in Florida Bay.  Salinity held in the mid-upper 20s at Trout Ck.  At the mouth of Taylor River salinity read just above 20 psu for another week.  Salinity concentrations in the Taylor ponds were in the teens for much of the week before dropping into single digits over the weekend; the 30d moving average concentration at Argyle Hendry (station TR, used to track FL Bay MFL criterion) was at 7.2 psu as of Sunday, 2/17.  Salinity concentrations were in the low-20s last week at Little Madeira Bay and in the north-central Bay areas of McCormick Ck.& Terrapin BayWhipray Basin remained just over 33 psu as of Sunday, 2/17.  As a whole these salinity concentrations are still near seasonal norms.  The exception to this trend is out west, in the SRS outflow at Tarpon Bay, where salinity remains above its seasonal average, measuring near 15 psu as of Sunday 2/17.

 

Wildlife:

Nothing new to report on the Spoonbills. Two weeks ago Everglades staff flew over the LNWR and saw large numbers of mixed flocks with 100-500 individuals; roughly estimated to be 10,000 birds in total (predominantly WHIB and GREG). All were located at the drying front in the northern portion of the Refuge, NW of New Colony 4. These flocks have now dispersed due to the heavy rains.

 


 

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