Caloosahatchee Outflows Up Significantly Over Last Week
Lake Level Still Almost A Foot Higher Than Historical Average
DEP’S Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release Update, Friday, April 15.
DEP Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release Update, Lake Level, Lake Inflow, Lake Outflow, 4-15-16.
Lake Okeechobee Outflows have jumped up again over the last week.
“A frontal boundary should move south of the district on Sunday and breezy northeast winds should bring some persistent showers east during the day before drier conditions spread over the district on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.”
The Department of Environmental Protection issued the Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release update.
For Immediate Release: April 15, 2016, 3:21 PM/E
Caloosahatchee Salinity Conditions: Salinity (based on optimal conditions for adult oysters) is increasing and is in the good range at Shell Point and Sanibel, and in the poor range at Cape Coral.
St. Lucie Salinity Conditions: Salinity at the U.S. 1 bridge is within the fair range. The salinity at A1A is in the good range.
Rainfall Forecast: Rainfall for the current week is forecast to be average. Widespread showers are expected around Lake Okeechobee today. Some locally heavy shower activity will move south on Saturday. A frontal boundary should move south of the district on Sunday and breezy northeast winds should bring some persistent showers east during the day before drier conditions spread over the district on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
As of April 14, 2016, water levels within the three WMAs previously listed are approaching criteria for rescinding the special regulations that limit public access. Criteria for rescinding the special regulations is a combination of water level and wildlife observed on surrounding levees.
Everglades WMA:
- Water level (average of 62/63 gauges) as of April 14 = 10.83 feet
- High water closure criteria = 11.60 feet
- Regulation schedule = 9.81 feet
- Average for this time of year = 9.83 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = -0.25 feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
Rotenberger WMA:
- Water level as of April 14 = 12.71 feet
- High water closure criteria = 13.50 feet
- Regulation schedule = 12.46 feet
- Average for this time of year = 12.07 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = -0.12 feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
Holey Land WMA:
- Water level as of April 14 = 11.81 feet
- High water closure criteria = 12.50 feet
- Regulation schedule = 11.14 feet
- Average for this time of year = 10.64 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = -0.13 feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
For more information and the complete data, please see DEP.
