Lake Okeechobee Water Release Schedule, Friday, February 19, 2016.
DEP’S Daily Update On Lake Okeechobee, Friday, February 19
“Caloosahatchee Salinity Conditions: Salinity (based on optimal conditions for adult oysters) increased and are in the good range at Sanibel, within the fair range at Shell Point and in the poor range at Cape Coral.”
The Department of Environmental Protection issued the following news release.
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2016, 2:37 PM/E
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Update:
“The FWC continues to monitor water levels and the status of wildlife in three of its Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in South Florida that encompass a total of 736,881 acres within the Everglades ecosystem. These WMAs provide important habitat for a diversity of imperiled wildlife species, including the Everglades mink, Big Cypress fox squirrel, little blue heron, tri-colored heron, snowy egret, white ibis, wood stork and limpkin, as well as native and abundant species like American alligators, white-tailed deer and marsh rabbits.
- FWC’s monitoring efforts include periodic wildlife and habitat surveys. FWC staff continues to watch water gauges to monitor high water levels and the impacts and stresses they may be having on areas like the Everglades tree islands, which are critical to the survival of Florida wildlife species. High water levels can seriously impact nesting and feeding activities of our native birds and make large and small mammals much more vulnerable to disease, starvation and predation. The condition of habitat on tree islands is an important indicator for the level of stress being experienced by wildlife.
- Members of the public should report any distressed fish or wildlife to the following hotlines:
- Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922 or [email protected]
- Fish Kill Hotline: 1-800-636-0511
Everglades Wildlife Management Area (671,831 acres):
Last week, FWC conducted wildlife and habitat surveys in Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A South in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Habitat conditions on tree islands are indicating light use by wildlife at this time. A low number of deer were observed on tree islands.
- Water level as of Feb. 15 at WCA 3A North in Broward County = 12.02 feet
- High water closure criteria = 11.60 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = (0.02) feet
- Average ascension rate for the last 3 weeks = 0.26 feet/week
Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area (29,700 acres):
- Water Level as of Feb. 15 = 13.22 feet
- High water closure criteria = 13.50 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = (0.24) feet
- Average recession rate for the last 3 weeks = (0.03) feet/week
Holey Land Wildlife Management Area (35,350 acres):
- Water level as of Feb. 15 = 12.43 feet
- High water closure criteria = 12.50 feet
- Recession rate for the last week = (0.09) feet
- Average ascension rate for the last 3 weeks = 0.12 feet/week
Lake Okeechobee Management Information:Salinity Conditions:
Caloosahatchee Salinity Conditions: Salinity (based on optimal conditions for adult oysters) increased and are in the good range at Sanibel, within the fair range at Shell Point and in the poor range at Cape Coral.
St. Lucie Salinity Conditions: Salinity at the U.S. 1 bridge remains the same and continues to be in the poor range.
Rainfall Information:
In January 2016, South Florida experienced the wettest January on record since recordkeeping began in 1932. Over the past three days, there has been no rainfall over the region.
South Florida Water Management District’s Rainfall Forecast:
Rainfall for the current week is forecast to be average, and the following week is forecast to be above average. Significant rainfall over the region is not anticipated for the next three days.”
