Kissimmee Watershed Environmental Conditions – 07/31/07

 

·        The upper Kissimmee Basin received 1.27 inches of rainfall over the last 7 days to bring the 30-day total to 9.08 inches (136% of average) and the lower basin received 1.30 inches to bring the total for the month to 9.61 inches (156% of average) (Daily Rainfall Report for 7/30/07).

·        Stages in the upper basin lakes are starting to rise, especially in Lake Kissimmee.

·        Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports germination and growth of native submersed aquatic vegetation, such as eelgrass (Valisneria) and Illinois pondweed (Potomegeton illinoensis), in some areas of Lake Tohopekaliga and in Lakes Kissimmee, Hatchineha and Cypress

·        Snail kites continue to nest on Lake Tohopekaliga.  No update from two weeks ago.

·        Flow has been reestablished to the Kissimmee River for 13 days (S-65 re-opened on 07/18/07).  Discharge at S-65 has increased to approximately 500 cfs.  Discharge through the restored reach of the river is approximately 1000 cfs with the additional 500 cfs coming from tributary inflows and basin runoff.

·        The concentration of dissolved oxygen has fallen to very low levels.  The low oxygen concentrations are probably related to the large contribution of basin runoff to discharge through the restored reach.  Both river channel sites report values of 0.5 mg/L or less of dissolved oxygen for the last week.  At these low levels, a fish kill is possible.  Low oxygen concentrations two weeks ago may have allowed fish to acclimate to low oxygen concentrations.  Current water levels should allow fish access to the floodplain where higher oxygen concentrations have been measured in previous years.

·        A small algal bloom was noted by the boat ramp at S65 between the SR 60 bridge and the navigation lock and probably consists of algae just piled up in that corner due to wind action.

 

 


 

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