Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report April 29, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 10.31’ NGVD, which is 0.10’ lower than a week ago and 0.06’ higher than a month ago.  The current stage is 0.62’ higher than it was a year ago and 3.43’ below its historical average for this time of year.  Reported inflows include ~700 cfs from the Kissimmee River.  Outflows include ~270 cfs through the S352 and ~70 cfs through the S77. 

 

April water-quality monitoring results are now available.  Seventeen of the 25 monitoring stations had sufficient water for sampling.  Total P averaged 111 ppb lakewide (compared to 141 ppb in March) and 33 ppb at nearshore stations (compared to 81 ppb in March).  Total suspended solids (TSS) averaged 35 ppm lakewide (compared to 33 ppm in March) and 6 ppm at nearshore stations (compared to 25 ppm in March).

 

Monthly phytoplankton monitoring was performed on April 22.  Six of nine sites had sufficient water for sampling.  Mean secchi depth was 0.45 m (compared to 0.18 m in March).  Chlorophyll data are not yet available, but there was a surface bloom in the Pahokee Marina and evidence of bloom formation at LZ40 (center of the lake).  Samples were collected for taxonomic analysis and a preliminary identification of Microcystis aeruginosa was made by District staff.  Microcystin concentrations were all at or below the analytical limit of detection (0.2 ug L-1) except for the Pahokee Marina sample which was 0.8 ug L-1.

 


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