Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report March 18, 2008:

 

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 10.23’ NGVD, which is 0.10’ higher than a week ago and 0.10’ higher than a month ago.  The current stage is 0.58’ lower than it was a year ago and 4.27’ below its historical average for this time of year.  Reported inflows cfs include the Kissimmee River (~1400 cfs), S71 (~150 cfs), S77 (~100 cfs), and the L8 at Canal Point (~650 cfs).  No outflows are reported. 

 

February water-quality monitoring results are now available.  Fourteen of the 25 monitoring stations had sufficient water for sampling.  Total P averaged 152 ppb lakewide (compared to 240 ppb in January) and 77 ppb at nearshore stations (compared to 102 ppb in January).  Total suspended solids (TSS) averaged 54 ppm lakewide (compared to 109 ppm in January) and 26 ppm at nearshore stations (compared to 31 ppm in January).      

 

Reconnaissance of the lake shoreline between Harney Pond and Clewiston last week revealed extensive but patchy beds of Vallisneria americana growing in about 30-45 cm of water.  Plants remain small (< 5 cm in height) but are exhibiting substantial lateral expansion by rhizomes.  A drop in lake levels below about 9’ NGVD will dry out many of these newly established beds.  The abundance of vascular SAV farther offshore could not be determined due to moderate turbidity.

 


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