Lake
Okeechobee Conditions Report August 12, 2008:
According
to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage
is 11.24’ NGVD, which is 0.22’ higher than a week ago, 1.12’
higher than a month ago, and 1.78’ higher than it was a year ago.
The current stage is 2.80’ below the historical average for this date,
and 1.65’ below the simulated historical average for the current
regulation schedule (LORS2008). Total reported inflows are 4410,
including continuous flows from the Kissimmee River
(2042 cfs), S71 (1608 cfs),
and S72 (201 cfs), and nighttime flows from the L8 at
canal point (559 cfs). No outflows are reported
and no flows through S77 or S308 are reported.
The monthly submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was
completed last week. Thirty-five sites had sufficient water for
sampling, and all but 1 site 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 20 of the 35 sites. The
vascular SAV species Vallisneria americana was present 8 of the 22 sites sampled near
the northern and western shorelines but continues to be absent in the south (13
sites sampled). For the first time in over a year, the southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis)
was found in very low density
in the northern region (Eagle
Bay Island).
The
comprehensive annual submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) mapping on Lake Okeechobee began last Tuesday and will continue thru
this week. With the help of staff from Watershed Mgmt. Dept. Staff,
Everglades Division, Recover, Coastal Ecosystem Division, and the Chemistry Lab
the entire littoral zone will be sampled to estimate the total acreage and
spatial distribution of the dominant SAV species. A preliminary map will
be available at the end of the month.
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