Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report September 23, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 15.06’ NGVD, which is 0.10’ lower than a week ago, 1.95’ higher than a month ago, and 5.38’ higher than it was a year ago.  The current stage is 0.36’ above the historical average for this date, and 1.42’ above the simulated historical average for the current regulation schedule (LORS2008).  Total reported inflows are 2261 cfs, with the greatest contributions from the Kissimmee River (1735 cfs), S71 (157 cfs), and Fisheating Creek (151 cfs).  Pulse releases to the estuaries continue at 3304 cfs through the S308 and approximately 4000 cfs through the S77.  Other outflows include 201 cfs to the L8 at Canal Point.

 

The annual mapping of the entire submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) community was completed in early August (prior to TS Fay).  The abundance of SAV at approximately 377 shoreline sites has been documented and preliminary results indicate that SAV covers a total of 35,834 acres.  This is an increase of 7654 acres of SAV coverage from last year’s annual mapping (28,180 total acres).  Chara remains the dominant plant species, covering 28,268 acres along the southern and western shorelines.  Vallisneria increased in areal coverage from 494 acres last year to 9405 acres this year and is most abundant in Fisheating BayHydrilla, Najas, and Potamogeton were not found last year but this year covered 1150, 1208, and 247 acres, respectively.

 

A bloom of cyanobacteria, tentatively identified as the toxin-producing Microcystis, spread rapidly across the northern part of the lake last week, and bloom conditions also were observed near Pahokee on Thursday.  Yesterday, field crews reported a moderate bloom in Fisheating Bay but no evidence of bloom activity at the south end of the lake.    

 

Periodic sightings of the non-native Purple Swamphen have occurred on the lake this year.  Approximately one dozen birds were spotted yesterday in Bay Bottom at the south end of the lake.  FFWCC is the lead agency responsible for their eradication.    

 

 


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