PERIODIC SCIENTISTS CALL FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND THE ESTUARIES - Savannah Lacy, P.E. Chief, Operations Unit Water Management Section Jacksonville ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
PERIODIC SCIENTISTS CALL FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND THE ESTUARIES Savannah Lacy, P.E. Chief, Operations Unit Water Management Section Jacksonville District 21 February 2023
2
STATEMENT OF INTENT
The intent of this forum is to exchange views, information or advice
between federal, state and local agency technical scientists regarding
Lake Okeechobee, C&SF operations and the relationship of impacts to
the surrounding areas. This is not intended to be a forum for official
policy discussion. The opinions shared in this forum do not represent
any official position from any agency at any time unless otherwise
specifically indicated.
Non-technical local government staff or elected officials are kindly asked
to make their comments in the public comment portion of the call.
Thank you all for your continued engagement.
POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
3
USACE DATA RESOURCES
Jacksonville Water Management Page
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/WaterManagement/
• Reports
• Plots
• Water Control Plans
• Navigation information
System Status Map
https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/reports/StatusDaily.htm
Algae Information
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Algae/
POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
4
RAINFALL
Last 30 days Last 7 days 7-day QPF
No Rain
Forecasted
5
KISSIMMEE CHAIN East Lake Tohopekaliga:
OF LAKES 1.2 ft Below schedule
Lake Tohopekaliga:
1.2 ft Below schedule
1,350 cfs (S-65)
Lake Kissimmee:
Lake Istokpoga: 0.32 ft above schedule
At schedule
6 As of: 5-March-2019 POC: Savannah Lacy
7
SYSTEM STATUS UPDATE
POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
8 POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
9 POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
10 POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
WCA-1 WATER CONSERVATION AREAS 11
+0.18 ft
+0.12 ft LAKE
OKEECHOBEE
WCA-1
WCA-2A
WCA-2B
S10s: 870 cfs WCA-3A
BCNP WCA-2A
WCA-3B
S12s
WCA-3A
+0.95 ft
ENP
-0.73 ft
S11s: 0 cfs
S12s: 300 cfs
Other outflows: 830 cfs
1112
LAKE OKEECHOBEE DRY SEASON STRATEGY
− Our goal is to reduce water levels, to the extent possible, before the onset of the wet season by making beneficial releases to downstream
users and environments. We hope to get lake levels down into the ecological stage envelope soon and look for opportunities to send water
south in concert with our state partners. This also allows us to remain within the RECOVER flow envelope for releases to the
Caloosahatchee.
− We will use the banked water to sustain releases longer into the dry season, which will help manage stages over the long term and help
maintain optimum salinity levels in the Caloosahatchee Estuary.
− We have an increased risk of below normal rainfall this dry season with the current La Niña condition and will be running projections out
through June to help adjust our plan along the way and minimize the risk of entering the Water Shortage Management Band.
− We will continue to evaluate conditions throughout the dry season and will adjust releases as necessary.
− We expect an increased risk of algal blooms this summer due to the hurricanes, so we believe making releases now will reduce the potential
for needing to release water next year when algae risk is higher.
− Lowering lake water levels while protecting ecosystems on the lake, the estuaries, and throughout the Everglades, while also ensuring
enough water is available for beneficial uses, is a delicate balance.
− There is risk with this strategy. We will likely have the lake down to the 14-15 feet in early April and will need all of April and May to get the
lake ready for the next wet season. This is the same time frame when we could have constrained releases if early algae blooms develop on
the lake. To address this risk, we will monitor the stage recession over the next two months with an eye on implementing our Harmful Algal
Bloom (HAB) deviation tool if we do not see enough recession during this period. As always, we will keep all our stakeholders involved in the
discussions, so we make an informed decision.
− Achieving this balance given the extraordinary circumstances of this year may be tough, but we are committed to transparency and open
communication throughout this dry season and during whatever adversity mother nature may throw at us.
POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/202313 Team Input Thank you for participating
14 POC: Savannah Lacy 2/21/2023
SCCF Input
Dead fish and eels at Tarpon Bay Beach
on 2/7/23. SCCF.
Aerial view of red tide bloom at Tarpon Bay Beach on 2/3/23 with Dead fish on the southern end of Captiva
Karenia spp. concentrations >25 million cells/L. SCCF. on 2/7/23 (right). SCCF.SCCF Input
Pen shells, cockles, Dosinia, and mullet at Hundreds of small dead fish on 2/15/23 at
Tarpon Bay Beach on 2/14/23. SCCF. Gulfside City Park. SCCF.
Blue crabs, pen shells, Dosinia, cockles, and
Hundreds of small dead fish on 2/15/23 at View of Pine Island Sound from Lighthouse Atlantic fig shells at Lighthouse Beach Park
Gulfside City Park. SCCF. Beach Park on 2/13/23. SCCF. on 2/13/23. SCCF.SCCF Input Lighthouse Beach Park on 2/21/23. SCCF.
18
JACQUI THURLOW-LIPPISCH
POC: Savannah Lacy 2/22/2023You can also read
