Evans, Goss urge pressure on behalf of clean water this summer
By CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - | May 14, 2021
PHOTO PROVIDED
Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss speaks about structures that will help the South Florida Water Management District reach its goal of sending Lake Okeechobee release water south.
Although island waters look good right now and in the forecastable future, water quality management principals, like many local residents and businesses, are nervous about what the summer rainy season will bring.
That was the sense Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Environmental Policy Director James Evans and South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss imparted to the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce at its May 12 virtual meeting.
Army Corps adjusts Lake Okeechobee releases
By USACE - | May 14, 2021
USACE
W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Jacksonville District reported that it would reduce Lake Okeechobee releases at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) from the current 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1,500 cfs beginning on May 15.
The releases will also change from a steady flow to a pulse release to flush the lower end of the system, raise salinities and help combat the formation of algae.
As of today, the lake is at 13.61 feet, which is 0.26 feet lower than last week and 0.63 feet lower than 30 days ago. While the lake is still 2.53 feet higher than last year on the same date, current projections show it is possible the lake will be between 13-13.5 feet on June 1, a significantly lower level than January projections of 14.5 feet or higher at the start of rainy season.
National Hurricane Center begins tropical weather outlooks May 15
Tropical cyclones are the wildcard during rainy season
A swollen Lake Okeechobee is the biggest concern for water managers going into South Florida’s rainy season, which officially starts Saturday and is forecast to be warmer and slightly wetter than normal.
Dry conditions beginning in January have lowered water levels bloated from a prolonged 2020 wet season throughout most areas south of the lake, including coastal Palm Beach County where just 7.6 inches of rain has fallen this year through Thursday a nearly 7-inch deficit.
But Akin Owosina, hydrology bureau chief for the South Florida Water Management District, said he would prefer the lake to be 12.5 feet above sea level before showers begin in earnest. On Friday, it stood more than a foot higher than that at 13.61 feet above sea level.