Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report
November 18, 2008:
According to the
USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is
14.49’ NGVD, which is 0.14’ lower than a week ago, 0.47’
lower than a month ago, and 4.18’ higher than it was a year ago.
The current stage is 0.44’ below the historical average for this date,
and 0.63’ above the simulated historical average for the current
regulation schedule (LORS2008). Total reported inflows are 306 cfs and
include contributions from S65E (286 cfs) and Fisheating
Creek (20 cfs). Total reported outflows are 1213 cfs and include 491 cfs
through the S308, 424 cfs through the S77, and 298 cfs to the L8 at Canal
Point.
The monthly
submerged-aquatic-vegetation (SAV) survey was completed during the first week
of November and 10 of the 30 sites sampled had plants (compared to 16 of 35 in
October). The macroalga Chara
has declined in coverage at the south end of the lake and has disappeared
from Pelican Bay. Water clarity was similar to
last month with an average secchi depth:total depth ratio of 0.33 (compared to 0.36 last
month). Tannic conditions remain in the north around King’s Bar and in Fisheating Bay.
October water-quality monitoring
results are now available. All 25 monitoring stations had sufficient
water for sampling. Total P averaged 155 ppb lakewide
(compared to 128 ppb in September) and 138 ppb at nearshore
stations (compared to 118 ppb in September). Total suspended solids (TSS)
averaged 25 ppm lakewide (compared to 20 ppm in
September) and 12 ppm at nearshore
stations (compared to 11 ppm in September).
October
phytoplankton monitoring was completed at 7 of the 9 sites and results are now
available. Chlorophyll a concentrations averaged 12 ppb and ranged
between 3 ppb (Kissimmee) and 25 ppb (Taylor Creek).
Microcystin levels were at or below the 0.2 ppb
detection limit at all sites.
Last week crews
surveyed the recently flooded scraped areas at Okeetantie Park and the Jaycee Park Pier on the
north end of the lake. They reported approximately 40–50%
reestablishment by native vegetation at both sites. The most common
native plants near the Pier included three square (Scirpus
americanus), Kissimmee grass (Paspalidium
geminatum) and smartweed (Polygonum
hydropiperoides). Torpedograss
has also established in shallow areas near the parking lot near the Pier.
Smartweed and Cattail were the most common emergent plants at the Okeetantie
Park site. Hydrilla was present at both sites and the invasive exotic
plant Luziola subintegra,
which was previously reported only in Fisheating Bay, was also found near the Jaycee Park
Pier. To date, this is the farthest north this plant has been observed.
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