WCA - Everglades Conditions Update

November 13, 2007

 

Rainfall:

Rainfall throughout the WCAs was negligible (i.e., < 0.01”). Average precipitation for the ENP was only 0.03” and most of that rain was focused around the Flamingo region (see Raindar.gif). This was another week with a deficit water budget, however ET was not reported, so the exact amount of the deficit is not known at this time.

 

 

Water Conservation Areas:

Dry season recession rates now predominate the entire region, setting the stage for significant dry downs and peat burns if these rates continue (see WCA_stages.xls). Water depths decreased by 0.17’ in WCA-1, 0.22’ in WCA-2A, 0.14’ in northern WCA-3A, 0.11 in NESRS, but only by 0.05’ in WCA-3B. Water depths are typically between 2-3 ft, at this time of year, in the WCAs. However, WCA-1 and WCA-2A are just barely above 2.0 ft and all of WCA-3 has less than 2 ft of water. Stages in WCA-1 are within Zone A2, WCA-2A remains well above regulation, and stages in WCA-3 remain below regulation (see WCA_reg_stages.doc).

 

Everglades National Park:

The weekly RAINDAR basin-wide spatial average of 0.03” reflected very little precip falling over this area (or any part of south Florida) over the week.  The dry season has definitely arrived. ENP wetland water levels were down for the week.  Water level at Shark River Slough (P33) was down by nearly 0.25”, but remains low for this time of year.  To the south, water level declined by 1.2” at Craighead Pond and by 0.8” in the panhandle at EVER6 (between Monday and Saturday).  Taylor Sl. Bridge saw a modest decline (for this station) of 2.0”. 

 

Salinity either increased slightly or remained stable across Florida Bay last week (see Salinity.pdf).  Salinity concentrations fluctuated throughout the week, from the single digits into the mid-teens at both Trout Creek and Taylor River mouth.  Flow reversals did not make their way far upstream, though, as salinity in the Taylor River ponds remained below 1 psu over the entire week. Salinity concentrations at the Little Madeira Bay mouth platform remained in the mid-teens throughout the week.  In the north-central Bay areas, Terrapin Bay and McCormick Creek salinity remained low for this time of year, fluctuating between 8 – 16 psu (depending on wind, etc.).  In central Florida Bay, Whipray Basin remained well below 30 psu for another week.  In the SRS outflow at Tarpon Bay, salinity increased a bit to 3.5 psu (still low).  At least as of now, the Bay appears to be well buffered in terms of salinity for the dry season.

 


 

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