DEP’S Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release Update, Friday, March 18.
Rainfall for the current week is forecast to be above average.
Map CERP Central Everglades Planning Project.
The Department of Environmental Protection issued the Daily Lake Okeechobee Water Release update.
For Immediate Release: March 18, 2016, 2:50 PM/E
Caloosahatchee Salinity Conditions: Salinity (based on optimal conditions for adult oysters) is increasing and is in good condition at Shell Point and Sanibel, but remains in poor condition at Cape Coral.
St. Lucie Salinity Conditions: Salinity at the U.S. 1 bridge is increasing, but continues to be in poor condition.
Rainfall Forecast: “Rainfall for the current week is forecast to be above average. A cold front is crossing the southeastern United States, bringing moderate to heavy rain Saturday and Sunday. With the stalled front north of the area, daytime heating will develop some scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms to the north and northeast today. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will accompany the front as it moves through the area Sunday. Dry conditions will then spread over the area behind the front Monday and continue into next week.”
Everglades WMA:
- Water level (average of 62/63 gauges) as of March 17 = 11.56 feet
- High water closure criteria = 11.60 feet
- Regulation schedule = 10.00 feet
- Average for this time of year = 10.03 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 March 17 = 12.94 feet
- High water closure criteria = 13.50 feet
- Regulation schedule = 12.67 feet
- Average for this time of year = 12.29 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = (0.09) feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
Holey Land WMA:
- Water level as of March 17 = 12.10 feet
- High water closure criteria = 12.50 feet
- Regulation schedule = 11.37 feet
- Average for this time of year = 10.87 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = (0.11) feet
- Water level trend over the past 3 weeks = dropping
For more information and the complete data, please see DEP.
