Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report October 20, 2009
According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is
14.19’ NGVD for the period ending at midnight October 19, 2009, which is
0.24' lower than a week ago, 0.33’ lower than a month ago, and
0.72’ lower than a year ago.
The current stage is 0.87’ below the historical average for this
date and 0.19’ above the simulated average using the current regulation
schedule (LORS2008). Total reported
inflows are 373 cfs and include flows through S65E (330 cfs), S84 (17 cfs), and
Fisheating Creek (26 cfs). Direct rainfall on the lake during the
past week averaged 0.048” according to 7-day Raindar. Reported outflows
are 767 cfs and include S351 (229 cfs), S352 (86 cfs), and S77 (452 cfs). No
flow data are available for C5 and the L8 at Canal Point.
Monthly algal bloom monitoring was conducted at all of the
nine sites on October 15th. Water clarity was good with a mean light
penetration depth of 1.5 m (same as in September) and no blooms were detected.
September microcystin levels were at or below the 0.2
ppb detection limit at all sites sampled.
Vegetation Management staff report that FWC approved a permit for the USACE to treat up to 3,000 acres of floating exotic plants (specifically water hyacinth and water lettuce) along the western shoreline of Lake Okeechobee later this month. The goal of this treatment is to reduce the amount of floating exotics to manageable levels for contracted ground crews to maintain. The treatments will be made aerially (by helicopter) and non-mixed communities will be targeted when possible; however, some non-target damage to bulrush, cattail and other plants is expected because mats of water hyacinth and water lettuce are mixed with native vegetation in many areas. Data suggests that a single treatment of Diquat (the herbicide being used) does not cause systemic damage to bulrush and other plants so re-growth should occur.
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