Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report July 8, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 10.02’ NGVD, which is 0.37’ higher than a week ago, 0.58’ higher than a month ago, and 0.99’ higher than it was a year ago.  The current stage is 3.61’ below the historical average for this date, and 2.38’ below the simulated historical average for the current regulation schedule (LORS2008).  Total reported inflows are 4105, with most flow coming from the Kissimmee River (1541 cfs), S71 (1237 cfs), S72 (586 cfs), and the L8 at canal point (609 cfs).  No outflows are reported and no flows through S77 or S308 are reported.

 

June water-quality monitoring results are now available.  Thirteen of the 25 monitoring stations had sufficient water for sampling.  Total P averaged 80 ppb lakewide (compared to 185 ppb in May) and 25 ppb at nearshore stations (compared to 52 ppb in May).  Total suspended solids (TSS) averaged 22 ppm lakewide (compared to 68 ppm in May) and 4 ppm at nearshore stations (compared to 14 ppm in May).

 

The monthly submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was completed yesterday.   Twenty-seven 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 12 of the 27 sites.  The vascular SAV species Vallisneria americana was present 7 of the 16 sites sampled near the northern and western shorelines but continues to be absent in the south (11 sites sampled). For the first time in over a year, the southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis) was found in very low density in the southern region (west side of Ritta Island).

 


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