WCA - Everglades Conditions Update (August 28, 2007)

 

 

Rainfall:

Rainfall varied markedly throughout the Everglades last week (see Raindar.gif), ranging from 0.5” in ENP to 1.2” in WCA-1.  WCA-2A had 1.2” while WCA-2B had only 0.7”; WCA-3A received 1.2” while WCA-3B received half that.  Rainfall was also patchy but generally low last week across Everglades National Park (ENP) and Florida Bay, with most wetland and Bay stations receiving under 1” for the week.  Accumulations ranged from 0.1 – 0.8”, with higher totals along the southwest coast of approximately 1.5”. 

 

Water Conservation Areas:

The conservation area gauges reported rising water stages in the northern conservation areas but falling in the more southerly ends of WCA-3 and in ENP (see WCA stages spreadsheet).  Everglades ecosystems are habituated to rising water levels in the wet season.  At this time of year, falling stages in the Everglades equate to “Poor” conditions.  Like last week (see WCA regulation stages), stages in WCA-1 are below regulation but still in Zone A2, stages in WCA-2 are above regulation, and stages in WCA-3 are below regulation.  Water depths remain between 1-1.5 feet in the conservation areas, but were lower (below 0.7 foot) in the northern ENP area. 

 

A large fire (“Mack’s Fish Camp South” fire) of 23,096 acres burned in WCA-3B (see attached photos and map, 1 2 3 4 5), merging with another 3,500 acre fire from the week before.  It was triggered by a lightning strike on Aug. 17 and was declared under control August 26.  Predicted rainfall from the tropical wave failed to materialize and so the fire continued unchecked.

 

Everglades National Park:

Water levels decreased at all ENP platforms last week (see Stages pdf), likely in part to the light rainfall pattern and high evapotranspiration rates.  At Taylor Slough Bridge water level plunged by nearly 5.5” to reach just below ground surface.  In the panhandle region (EVER 6), water level declined by 2”.  Stage at Craighead Pond (CP) and to the north in Shark River Slough (P33) dropped by approximately 1” over the 7 day period.

 

Salinity showed mixed trends across Florida Bay last week (see Salinity pdf) but remains seasonably low.  Salinity at Trout Creek was flashy throughout the week, measuring between 4 - 15 psu.  The platform at the mouth of Little Madeira Bay saw salinity holding below 20 psu for another week.  Salinity in the Taylor River ponds remained very low all week (~ 1 psu at Pond 5 and Argyle Hendry).  Salinity readings in the north-central Bay areas of Terrapin Bay and McCormick Creek remained in the mid to low 20s last week.  In the central Bay, Whipray Basin salinity remained near 40 psu for another week.  To the north and west, Tarpon Bay (SRS outflow) salinity was low, holding below 2 psu for another week.

 


 

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