Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report March 25, 2008:

 

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 10.23’ NGVD, which is the same as a week ago and 0.10’ higher than a month ago.  The current stage is 0.41’ lower than it was a year ago and 4.20’ below its historical average for this time of year.  Reported inflows cfs include the Kissimmee River (~1850 cfs), S71 and S72 (~250 cfs), and the L8 at Canal Point (~434 cfs).  No outflows are reported. 

 

 

Lake Istokpoga Update March 25, 2008

 

Several studies are being conducted to document environmental conditions in Lake Istokpoga and support interagency management efforts.  The composition and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and different sediment types (sand, mud, peat) across the entire (27,000 acres) lake was mapped during March.  This and future maps will be used to monitor long-term trends in SAV and to assist efforts by FDEP to control Hydrilla, which is a major management issue for this lake.  Aerial photography of emergent shoreline vegetation was collected and will be used to produce a map to guide vegetation management in this zone of the lake.  A survey of apple snail densities and distribution will begin this week in collaboration with Dr. Phil Darby at the University of West Florida.  This survey will assess habitat suitability and determine food availability for breeding snail kites.  Currently, there are 8 confirmed snail kite nests in the lake, 5 along the western shoreline and 3 on islands within the lake.

 


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