Kissimmee Watershed Environmental Conditions – 08/26/08:

·        Over the last seven days, the Upper Kissimmee Basin received 7.46 inches of rainfall, bringing this month’s total rainfall to 9.46 inches (177% of normal).  The Lower Basin received 9.04 inches to bring this month’s total to an  astounding 11.48 inches (239% of normal) (Daily Rainfall Report 08/24/08).

·        Water levels in all of the upper basin lakes are above their regulation schedules except for Lake Gentry.  Releases are being made from Lake Hart (500 cfs), East Lake Tohopekaliga (709 cfs), Lake Tohopekaliga (2,044 cfs), The Alligator Chain (319 cfs) and Lake Gentry (319 cfs).

·        According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit at The University of Florida, all known snail kite nesting in the Kissimmee Basin has ended.  This includes young birds being fed near nesting sites.

·        Due to the heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Fay, discharge from Lake Kissimmee has been increased to approximately 7,000 cfs. Discharge at S65C is 11,000 cfs. 

·        Water depths on the floodplain within the restoration project currently range from 2.5 – 6.8 feet.  The floodplain in the restored reach is completely inundated at this time.

·        From 08/19/08 to 08/26/08 dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Kissimmee River ranged from 4.8 mg/L to 0.36 mg/L and averaged 1.7 mg/L.  The highest DO readings occurred during and shortly after Tropical Storm Fay’s passage over the Kissimmee Basin.  The increase in DO concentration is likely due to reaeration from heavy rainfall and high winds.  As flows through the restoration project increased over the past week, DO concentrations in the river channel decreased steadily and are currently below the 2 mg/L level of concern for fish.  However, the floodplain in the restoration area is completely inundated and there are likely areas on the floodplain with higher DO concentrations where fish can take refuge.  A similar phenomenon was observed during and after hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004.

 


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