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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