Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report June 17, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 9.27’ NGVD, which is 0.08’ lower than a week ago and 0.56’ lower than a month ago.  The current stage is 0.35’ higher than it was a year ago and 4.02’ below its historical average for this time of year.  Reported inflows include 135 cfs from the Kissimmee River and 48 cfs from the L8 at Canal Point.  No outflows are reported. 

 

May water-quality monitoring results are now available.  Fourteen of the 25 monitoring stations had sufficient water for sampling.  Total P averaged 185 ppb lakewide (compared to 111 ppb in April) and 52 ppb at nearshore stations (compared to 33 ppb in April).  Total suspended solids (TSS) averaged 68 ppm lakewide (compared to 35 ppm in April) and 14 ppm at nearshore stations (compared to 6 ppm in April).

 

The monthly submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was completed last week.   Twenty six sites had sufficient water for sampling, and all sites had water clarity conducive to plant growth (secchi depth > 50% of total depth).  The macroalga Chara remains the dominant SAV species and was found at 15 of the 26 sites.  The vascular SAV species  Vallisneria americana was present 8 of the 16 sites sampled near the northern and western shorelines but continues to be absent in the south (10 sites sampled).  Other observations indicate that Vallisneria beds continue to expand along the western shoreline, but recent declines in lake level have exposed some of these beds. 

 

Approximately 2000 tires that had been illegally dumped on Kreamer Island have been removed as part of the low lake level enhancement project.  The current drought situation has made the island accessible for locating, identifying, and removing of such hazardous debris.

 


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