WCA - Everglades Conditions Update (Oct. 16, 2007)

 

Rainfall:

Seven-day rainfall totals, were low for a second week (see Raindar.gif). Maximum average rainfall was 1.0 inches in the ENP. WCA-3 received about 0.8 inches and WCA 1 and 2 received about 0.7 inches. A deficit water budget occurred everywhere for a second week due to the total weekly evaporation estimate of 1.51 inches (see attached srs.pdf).

 

Water Conservation Areas:

The lack of rain, relative to evaporation, lead to POOR rehydration rates for a second week, especially in WCA-1, where water levels declined by 0.15 ft. However, WCA-3A and WCA 2B water levels did not recede due to release of waters from WCA-2A (see stages.xls). Despite this release, water levels in WCA-2A remained well above regulation (see reg stages.doc). Water depths remain good for this time of year because all locations have at least 1.0 ft of water. The fires that were reported on Oct 10th along the L-67 levees in WCA-3B did not appear to be muck burns because of these depths. Stages in WCA-1 are no longer in Zone A2 and are now at Regulation. Stages in WCA-3 are again slightly below regulation (see reg stages.doc).

 

Everglades National Park:

ENP wetland water levels decreased.  Stations in the south saw appreciable decreases such as,  -0.35 ft  at Taylor Slough Bridge, -0.11 ft in the ENP panhandle (EVER6), and -0.16 ft at Craighead Pond over the 7d period.

Despite lower overall rainfall last week, salinity continued to decline or remain stable across Fl Bay.  Significant flow through both Trout Creek & Taylor River allowed salinity to remain very low (in single digit concentrations) all week.  Salinity in the TR ponds remained steady at or below 1 psu all week.  To the south, Whipray Basin salinity dropped below 30 psu for the first time this wet season.  In the past month the 7d moving average salinity in Whipray Basin has declined 10 psu (from 41 psu on 9/14 to 31 psu).  This pronounced decline in Baywide salinity over recent weeks may provide an important buffer heading into the dry season.  In the SRS outflow at Tarpon Bay, salinity remained at or below 3 psu over the week.

 


 

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