Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report May 13, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 9.98’ NGVD, which is 0.13’ lower than a week ago and 0.53’ lower than a month ago.  The current stage is 0.66’ higher than it was a year ago and 3.44’ below its historical average for this time of year.  Reported inflows include 672 cfs from the Kissimmee River.  Outflows include 316 cfs through the S352. 

                             

The monthly submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was completed last week.   Water clarity was generally conducive to plant growth with secchi depths greater than 50% of total depths at 30 of the 31 sites sampled.  The macroalga Chara remains the dominant SAV species and was found at 10 of the 30 sites (6 of the 10 sites were in the south end of the lake).  One species of vascular SAV, Vallisneria americana, continues to be present in very low density at a few sites around King’s Bar on the northern shoreline and a few sites along the western shoreline. Most of the Vallisneria is still short but there were several sites along the western shoreline where it was 15 to 20 cm tall and very dense with reproductive structures present.  Many patches of southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis) also were observed in very low density along the western shoreline.

     

The algal bloom reported to be developing at several locations across the lake has disappeared and field reports from last week indicate that it has not reformed.  Cyanobacterial toxin data were collected on May 1 as the bloom dissipated.  A microcystin level of 1.2 ppb was reported at the Pahokee Marina, and other sites had toxin levels below detection (<0.2 ppb).  Chlorophyll data from the bloom sampling are not yet available.  

 

A wildfire continues to burn in the littoral zone in the southwest corner of the lake.  Roughly 9000-10,000 acres have now burned.  The fire is 50% contained and its rate of spread has slowed.  However, burning muck will continue to be an issue until the area experiences significant rainfall.

 


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