WCA -
(April 1,
2008)
Rainfall:
Deficit
rainfall occurred in WCA-1 (received 0.03”), WCA-2A (received 0.17”), WCA-3A
(received 0.03”), WCA-3B (received 0.55”), and ENP (received 0.22”). The rain
for the week tended to hug the eastern boundary of the
Water Conservation Areas:
Recession
rates were either too slight or non-existent in WCA-2B, 3A, and 3B as a result
of the rains of two weeks ago and from S-10 and S-11 openings (see WCA_stages.xls). , Only WCA-1 and 2A
had recession rates in support of foraging. Unfortunately the depths throughout
the Greater Everglades do not yet support foraging. Depths greater than one
foot are inhospitable for wading bird foraging. However, 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 have
declined and are at Regulation, WCA-2A marsh remains well above regulation
(note: canal levels continue to drop due the opening of the S-11’s), 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 and FL
Bay experienced patchy rainfall last week, with many areas receiving no rain.
Despite rain in SRS, the ENP wetland water levels were down by approx. 1” for
the week in both northern areas (SRS at P33) and southern areas (Craighead
Pond). After last week’s dramatic water level increase at Taylor Sl.
Bridge (up by nearly 11” from the previous week’s total), last week brought a
2.4” recession to this part of the system (an area that regularly experiences
wide fluctuations in water levels from rain, inflows, etc., esp. when the water
level is below ground surface).
Salinity
concentrations remained fairly stable or increased (see salinity.pdf). By the end of the
week salinity had crept just above 30 psu at Trout Ck. and into the mid-20s at
the mouth of
Wildlife:
There has
been no change; Ibis activity is minimum (however, they still have time to
nest). Woodstorks will probably not nest this year. Audubon is reporting
a second nesting attempt by spoonbills at Deer Key (in the eastern Bay).
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