Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report October 13, 2009
According to
the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 14.43’ NGVD for the period
ending at midnight October 12, 2009, which is 0.03' lower than a week ago,
0.01’ lower than a month ago, and 0.57’ lower than a year
ago. The current stage is 0.6’ below the historical average for
this date and 0.48’ above the simulated average using the current
regulation schedule (LORS2008). Total reported inflows are 710 cfs
and include flows through S65E (615 cfs),S129 (31 cfs,
S191 (17 cfs),and Fisheating Creek (47 cfs).
Direct rainfall on the lake during the past week averaged 0.58” according
to 7-day Raindar. Lake outflows are negligible.
September
water-quality monitoring results are now available. Water levels were sufficient
to sample all of the 25 monitoring stations. Total suspended solids and
total phosphorus concentrations decreased or were similar to the previous month
in both the nearshore and pelagic regions.
Total suspended solids averaged 11 ppm lakewide (compared to 15 ppm in August) and 8 ppm
at nearshore stations (compared to 8 ppm in August). Total phosphorus averaged 65 ppb lakewide (compared to 82 ppb in August) and 54 ppb at nearshore stations (compared to 66 ppb in August.
The fall submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was completed
last week. A total of 53 sites were sampled (27 in the north, 12 in the
west, 14 in the south) and plants were found at 42 of those sites (21 in
the north, 10 in the west, 11 in the south). Light penetration is good
with Secchi Depth:Total Depth ratios >0.5 at 34 sites. Chara remains the dominant species in the south and
is doing well with moderate to dense beds at most nearshore
sites. Sparse beds of Vallisneria, Najas, and Potomageton were
observed along the western shore and moderate to dense beds of Hydrilla dominate the sites in Fisheating
Bay. The northern sites continue to be dominated by Ceratophyllum
interspersed with sparse to moderate beds of Vallisneria,
Hydrilla, and Najas.
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