WCA - Everglades Conditions Update (Sept. 25, 2007)

 

Rainfall:

Substantial rainfall occurred throughout the Greater Everglades (see Raindar.gif). Rainfall totals ranged from a high of 4 inches in WCA-2B, to a low total of 2.3 inches for all of the ENP. Most of this rainfall was surplus because the total weekly evaporation estimate was 1.5 inches (see attached srs.pdf).

 

Water Conservation Areas:

The declining water levels of last week have been compensated for by the increasing water levels of this week (see stages.xls). Water levels increased more in the northern Everglades (WCA1 was up 0.36 ft and WCA2A was up 0.44 ft) than they did in the southern Everglades (WCA3B was up 0.10 ft and NESRS was up 0.13 ft). All regions had GOOD inundation rates and depths have significantly improved because all habitats have at least 1 ft of water. Stages in WCA-1 are below regulation but still in Zone A2. Stages in WCA-2A went up enough to be at regulation and stages in WCA-3 are still below regulation (see reg stages.doc).

 

 

Everglades National Park:

Rainfall was patchy across ENP and FL Bay last week, with much heavier accumulations to the north of the Park.  Despite the surplus rains north of the ENP, most of the ENP wetlands experienced declining water levels last week.  Water level dropped by 4.3” to below the surface at Taylor Slough Bridge (TSB).  The ENP panhandle (station EVER6) water level declined by nearly 2 inches.  To the west in Shark River Slough (P33), water level was down by just over 1”. (Note: These data do not reflect the rainfall that fell today over the eastern ENP)

 

Salinity showed mixed trends across FL Bay last week.  Strong southerly winds from last week’s low pressure system caused flow reversals that increased salinity for much of the latter part of the week in areas of northern Florida Bay & its associated creeks (Trout Creek up to 25 psu, Taylor River mouth up to 20 psu).  Salinity in the TR ponds increased to ~ 15 psu in Pond 5 and 9 psu at Argyle Hendry (station TR) before declining by Sunday, 9/23.  Salinity concentrations in the central Bay areas of McCormick Ck. and Terrapin Bay also increased late last week into the low - mid-30 psu range.  Salinity was more stable at the central Bay station, Whipray Basin (up to just over 42 psu by the weekend).  To the north and west, Tarpon Bay (SRS outflow) salinity increased to 5 psu

 

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