WCA -
(March 25,
2008)
Rainfall:
With
an average ET for the Greater Everglades of 1.4 inches (see SRS.pdf), the rainfall was not adequate to
prevent deficits everywhere. Rainfall was heaviest over the northern sections
of the Greater Everglades (see Raindar.gif). Surplus rain was delivered to
WCA-1 (received 2.5) WCA-2A (received 2.7), and WCA-3B (received 1.92).
Deficit rainfall occurred in in WCA-3A (received 1.32) and ENP (received
1.07).
Water Conservation Areas:
Surplus
rain caused reversals and water depths to increase almost everywhere (see
WCA_stages.xls), but especially in
WCA-2A and WCA-3B. The increasing depths have made large areas inhospitable for
wading bird foraging. It is still early in the nesting season for ibis and
it is hoped that these poor hydrologic conditions will have a minimum impact on
this specis. Stages in WCA-1 are above Regulation, WCA-2A marsh remains
well above regulation (note: canal levels dropped sharply due the opening of
the S-11s), and WCA-3A stages are within zone E1 of the regulation schedule
(see WCA_reg_stages.doc), for protection of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
ENP wetland
water levels displayed mixed trends last week in response to the patchy nature
of the weekend rain event. Water levels increased at the 2 slough
stations: up by 1.3 at P33 (Shark River Sl.) & by 10.7 at Taylor Sl.
Bridge (not a typo this part of the system regularly experiences wide
fluctuations in water levels from rain, inflows, etc., esp. when the water
level is below ground surface). To the south of these areas, though,
water level barely increased in the ENP panhandle (stations EVER6, only up by
0.1), & actually declined for the week at Craighead Pond (down by 0.6).
Salinity
concentrations are increasing slightly across the coastal zone and Florida Bay
(see salinity.pdf). Salinity
remained in the upper-20s to near 30 psu at Trout Ck. Salinity
concentrations in the
Wildlife:
There has
been no change; Ibis activity is minimum (however, they still have time to
nest). Woodstorks will probably not nest this year. Nothing new to report
on the Spoonbills, other than, continued highly reduced nesting activity).
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