Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report July 22, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 10.39’ NGVD, which is 0.35’ higher than a week ago, 1.11’ higher than a month ago, and 1.34’ higher than it was a year ago.  The current stage is 3.38’ below the historical average for this date, and 2.17’ below the simulated historical average for the current regulation schedule (LORS2008).  Total reported inflows are 5229 cfs, including substantial flows from the Kissimmee River (2115 cfs), S71 (1973 cfs), S72 (181 cfs), and the L8 at canal point (645 cfs), and lesser volumes through the S84 (147 cfs), S191 (100 cfs), and S154 (68 cfs).  No outflows are reported and flows through S77 and S308 are not available.

 

Monthly phytoplankton monitoring was performed on July 17.  Six of nine sites had sufficient water for sampling.  Mean secchi depth was 0.59 m (compared to 0.43 m in June).  Chlorophyll and toxin data are not yet available, but bloom conditions were not observed at any of the stations.

 

The South American watergrass Luziola subintegra continues to pose an environmental threat in Fisheating Bay.  A dense monoculture of this species is estimated to cover 110 acres with considerable infiltration beyond this central stand.  Treatment by helicopter and boat is planned for this week using a mixture of the herbicides imazapyr and glyphosate, which has been the most effective combination used to date.

 

 


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