Lake Okeechobee Conditions Report November 3, 2009

 

According to the USACE web site, Lake Okeechobee stage is 14.04’ NGVD for the period ending at midnight November 02, 2009, which is 0.10' lower than a week ago, 0.44’ lower than a month ago, and 0.71’ lower than a year ago.  The current stage is 0.99’ below the historical average for this date and 0.08’ above the simulated average using the current regulation schedule (LORS2008).  Total reported inflows are 352 cfs and include flows through S65E (356 cfs)and Fisheating Creek (14 cfs). According to Raindar there was negligible rain directly over the lake this past week. Lake outflows total 688 cfs, including S77 (297 cfs), S354 (145 cfs) and S351 (246 cfs). S308 and the L8 at Canal Point are not reporting.

 

Current total coverage of floating aquatic vegetation on the lake is estimated at 4000 acres. One thousand acres of floating vegetation was treated in Fish Eating Bay last week from Mayaca Cut to Observation Island. Treatment of approximately 2000 additional acres is planned. District crews flying the lake last week reported seeing large flocks of wading birds foraging in shallow areas in the Northwest marsh that have been cleared as a result of the torpedo grass control program.

 

FWC reports seeing exceptional Chironomid blooms on the lake. Chironomids are an important food source for juvenile fish and other aquatic organisms and are key indicators of improved lake conditions. Their abundance has been limited over the past several years. FWC is also reported good young of the year numbers for Largemouth bass (a single transect in Fish Eating Bay yielded more fish than the entire lakewide electrofishing study in 2008).


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