Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report October 28, 2008:

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 14.89’ NGVD, which is 0.02’ lower than a week ago, 0.08’ lower than a month ago, and 4.64’ higher than it was a year ago.  The current stage is 0.15’ below the historical average for this date, and 0.91’ above the simulated historical average for the current regulation schedule (LORS2008).  Total reported inflows are 638 cfs, with the greatest contributions from S84 (331 cfs) and S72 (201 cfs).  These reported inflows do not include ~300 cfs through S65E and ~100 cfs from Fisheating Creek.  Total reported outflows are 708 cfs and include 497 cfs through the S308 and 205 cfs to the L8 at Canal Point. 

 

Last week, field crews resampled 59 annual mapping grid cells that had SAV in August prior to Tropical Storm Fay.  Plants were still present at 32 of the cells (compared to 37 cells in September) and 13 of the cells were too deep to sample (same as in September).  The average secchi depth:total depth ratio was 0.35 (compared to 0.37 in September).

  

A survey was conducted last week to determine the status of large numbers of the endangered Okeechobee Gourd that became established on the southern islands during the drought.  Recent water levels rises flooded and killed established plants, which typically senesce at this time of year anyway.  Large numbers of fruits (gourds) were located and the vegetation management group will be requesting a permit to transport these propagules to more suitable locations.          

 

  

 

 


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