Lake
Okeechobee Conditions Report November 20, 2007:
According
to the USACE web site, Lake
Okeechobee stage is 10.32’ NGVD,
which is 0.01’ lower than a week ago and 0.16’ higher than a month
ago. The current stage is 2.07’ lower than it was a year ago and
remains almost 5’ below its historical average for this time of
year. Total reported surface inflows of 905 cfs
are similar to last week and include flows from the Kissmmee River (250 cfs)
and the L8 at Canal Point (655 cfs). No
outflows are reported.
Nearshore areas of the lake continue to experience moderate turbidity in
response to windy conditions. Beds of the macroalga
Chara are declining in offshore areas on the
south side but appear to be stable closer to shore. Beds of the vascular
species eelgrass (Vallisneria americana)
are expanding but generally are being found in locations with about 1’ of
water that likely will go dry within the next few months. Okeechobee
Division staff participated in a meeting with the FWC
and USACE last week to discuss the feasibility of
planting vascular SAV at selected locations in the
lake next wet season to augment the natural recovery of these species following
previous years’ hurricanes and the current drought.
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