Heartbeat of a Lake

[Frank2]

The below link opens to a graph that indicates the water levels of Lake Okeechobee over the past 76 years...

https://my.sfwmd.gov/pls/portal/docs/PA ... RLEVEL.PDF

I do recall the droughts of 1970-71 and 1982-83 (though August of '70 was very rainy), but, can't say that I recall the one of 1990-91 (you'd think it'd be the other way around)...

When you look at the entire graph, it does look like a heartbeat - of a very sick heart, sadly...

[Kiko]

While years of drought certainly plays into it, so does Florida's population needs. Look here Frank.

http://theevergladesstory.org/journey/

Toggle between Historic Water Flow and Current Water Flow and you'll see where the water's going--to supply the residents of the coast.

[Category 5]

Theres about to be a huge drop on that graph when they update it.

I hope you guys get some rain, I really do.

[Frank2]

Yes, I agree Kiko (thought you might have a hurricane named after you, but, it doesn't look like it right now) - the trouble really began once the canals were built...

The growth of Orlando is not helping at all, since the headwaters of the Everglades really is within the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area south of that city (it can be seen from the Florida Turnpike, between Yeehaw Junction and Kissimmee). Incidentially, the Everglades does not receive any water from areas north of Three Lakes, since the St. John's River headwater flows "backwards" to the north...

I hope you are right Cateogry 5 - we do need additional rain, though at least we've gotten some...

[hial2]

Frank,that graph is old..August of 2006..The heart beat you're talking about? I think currently the heart is on life support...and the systolic pressure is dropping..fast

[Frank2]

Well, that's the current map on the SFWMD page, so, I suppose they just have not yet updated (though as Category 5 mentioned, another big dip is to be added)...

As expected, the biggest spike followed the very wet 1947 Cape Verde hurricane, which made landfall on the Broward/Palm Beach County line (that followed a very wet rainy season, so, most of South Florida was under water to some extent).

Similar to what happened after Katrina, officials in 1947 became frightened over what might happen in future hurricane seasons, and, over-corrected to the point that irreversible damage was done to the Lake and Everglades...

I agree that the situation is dire - if things don't change right away, the Lake and the Everglades will be on the brink...

[hial2]

Here's the present water level..

http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/omd/rt_L.OKEE.html

I believe is close to 5 feet below where it should be for this date...considering that the rainy season is about to end,it does not bode well for Florida..
And consider Atlanta, Ga..as of today, they have only 69 days of water left in their lake..and only 90 days here in North Carolina..

Have faith in a Higher Power,or mother nature if you will..It will rain again,and everything will be alright..

[cpdaman]

half the lake got 2-4 inches yesterday (the rest about a quarter to half inch) today they are going to get it again from NW to SE.

good news

[Typhoon_Willie]

Looks like we are having a training effect over lake at this moment.

[Typhoon_Willie]

Still having that effect over the lake...Which is good news.

[Kiko]

Hey TW, where ever you're seeing this, why not post us a link, so we can see it too?

[boca]

Here's the link.

http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid= ... 1&loop=yes

[jdray]

Yes, I agree Kiko (thought you might have a hurricane named after you, but, it doesn't look like it right now) - the trouble really began once the canals were built...

The growth of Orlando is not helping at all, since the headwaters of the Everglades really is within the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area south of that city (it can be seen from the Florida Turnpike, between Yeehaw Junction and Kissimmee). Incidentially, the Everglades does not receive any water from areas north of Three Lakes, since the St. John's River headwater flows "backwards" to the north...

I hope you are right Cateogry 5 - we do need additional rain, though at least we've gotten some...

To make matters even worse, Orlando is now wanting to divert some water from the St Johns river to its growing population.

[Opal storm]

Florida needs to enact a strict moratorium on the number of permits issued to builders of new development for houses and condominiums until they get a handle on how to manage the water supply. I went down to Orlando on vacation during the summer and I couldn't tell you how many people had ther sprinklers on during the middle of the day during the drought. I mean, I hope they get some rain down there soon but you can't expect mother nature to dump more rain as the more you build.