Herbert Hoover Dike: Resembles Swiss Cheese

[MWatkins]

A study released last night, regarding the state of the Okechobee dike is not good. Experts give the dike a 1 in 6 chance of failing in any given year. It's done it's job up until now...but how much longer can it hold up?

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/ ... _0502.html

MW

[GeneratorPower]

The South Florida Water Management District hired the experts amid growing concern about the 143-mile-long dike's ability to withstand both sudden attacks from hurricanes and the long, slow pressure caused by decades of abnormally high water in the lake.

I read this and thought, gee, maybe if it's been there for DECADES it's not ABNORMAL. Not to make light of a serious problem.

[LSU_Weatherguy]

wow not good this needs to be addressed now

[MiamiensisWx]

Wasn't the dike last built/renovated in the 1950s and 1960s? Back then, some of the construction was poor at best.

[Patrick99]

I did not know that. I always figured that levee was impervious, because it's so high. I didn't know that Wilma gouged it a bit.

[MiamiensisWx]

I did not know that. I always figured that levee was impervious, because it's so high. I didn't know that Wilma gouged it a bit.

Yes, Wilma did cause leaks and erosion to parts of the levee.

Actually, I visited Belle Glade and Pahokee a while ago, just before 2004 and 2005 and the hurricanes. It's amazing how parts of the levee are not maintained as well as they should be.

[terstorm1012]

The South Florida Water Management District hired the experts amid growing concern about the 143-mile-long dike's ability to withstand both sudden attacks from hurricanes and the long, slow pressure caused by decades of abnormally high water in the lake.

I read this and thought, gee, maybe if it's been there for DECADES it's not ABNORMAL. Not to make light of a serious problem.

While the dike is very important, it quite possibly is the reason the lake levels have been abnormally high for years. The flood gates that let water into the Everglades are probably too narrow for the water flow.

[gatorcane]

Belle Glade is at the top of the list.

South Bay and Clewiston would probably be in danger as well.

Basically all communities immediately south and east of the lake have the most danger.

Special Housing for people who can't afford the avg coast of a home in Palm Beach ($400,000, about 90% cannot anymore) is being considered in Belle Glade.

How much do you think they will consider Hurricanes in their decision?

[Jim Cantore]

Wilma is defanately involved in some of it, another blow like that and that thing is gone and we have another 1928 (but about 2500 fewer deaths)