Caloosahatchee Outflows Way Up The Last Several Days.
DEP’S Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release Update, Friday, April 8.
Lake Okeechobee Outflows have jumped up again in the last several days.
“Rainfall for the current week is forecast to be below average. A dry cold front is pushing through the area today. Dry and pleasant conditions are expected through Saturday.”
The Department of Environmental Protection issued the Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release update.
For Immediate Release: April 8, 2016, 3:25 PM/E
Lake Okeechobee Water Level History And Projected Stages, 4-8-16. Source: South Florida Water Management District.
Caloosahatchee Salinity Conditions: Salinity (based on optimal conditions for adult oysters) is in the good range at Shell Point and Sanibel, and in the fair 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 not available.
Rainfall Forecast: Rainfall for the current week is forecast to be below average. A dry cold front is pushing through the area today. Dry and pleasant conditions are expected through Saturday. East and southeast winds will bring a return of some spotty showers to the southeast on Sunday and Monday. Another cold front will bring some scattered showers and thunderstorms next Wednesday and Thursday.
As of April 7, 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 7 = 11.09 feet
- High water closure criteria = 11.60 feet
- Regulation schedule = 9.86 feet
- Average for this time of year = 9.89 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = -0.24 feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
Rotenberger WMA:
- Water level as of April 7 = 12.84 feet
- High water closure criteria = 13.50 feet
- Regulation schedule = 12.51 feet
- Average for this time of year = 12.17 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = -0.10 feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
Holey Land WMA:
- Water level as of April 7 = 11.96 feet
- High water closure criteria = 12.50 feet
- Regulation schedule = 11.20 feet
- Average for this time of year = 10.76 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = -0.07 feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
For more information and the complete data, please see DEP.
