WCA -
Rainfall:
Seven-day
rainfall totals, starting on Oct 2nd were much less than previous
weeks (when rainfall was 2-4 inches), and ranged from a high of 1.2 inches in
WCA-1 to only 0.63 inches in NE Shark River Slough (see Raindar.gif). [WCA-2A=0.76”;
WCA-2B=0.58”; WCA-3A=0.75”; WCA-3B=0.54”] A deficit water budget has occurred
almost everywhere since the total weekly evaporation estimate is 1.29 inches
(see attached srs.pdf).
Water Conservation Areas:
The
lack of rain, relative to evaporation, lead to POOR rehydration rates in
WCA-3A, 3B, and NE Shark River Slough (see stages.xls). Decreasing water levels
at these locations ranged from -0.04 ft/wk to -0.45 ft/wk in central 3A.
Increasing water levels occurred in the northern regions and averaged +0.25
ft/wk. Water depths remain good for this time of year because all locations
have at least 1.0 ft of water. Stages in WCA-1 are no longer in Zone A2 and are
now at Regulation. Stages in WCA-2A are almost 1 ft above regulation and stages
in WCA-3 are still below regulation (see reg stages.doc).
ENP wetland
water levels increased as a result of last week’s rain event on Oct 1st.
In some areas, though, these water level increases were substantially less than
one would expect given the high rainfall totals, suggesting a significant
movement of flow downstream (assuming ET has changed little over recent
weeks).
Due to
rainfall and strong discharge moving out of the coastal creeks toward Florida
Bay, salinity dropped across much of the system again last week. In
one month’s time salinity has declined by an impressive 7 – 20 psu in the
eastern and central Bay, providing an important buffer for the upcoming dry
season. Salinity concentrations at both Trout Creek and
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