Just like last year when Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne moved across South Florida, hurricane-force winds stirred up sediments in Lake Okeechobee, turning its waters an unappealing shade of brown. These sediments do not settle quickly, and they contain nutrients that have accumulated for decades due to stormwater runoff into the lake.
When flood control requires discharge of lake waters into the St. Lucie River to the east and Caloosahatchee River to the west, the estuaries of these waterways can be harmed by the high-nutrient discharges.
Monitoring crews are currently in the field assessing storm impacts to lake water quality and lake vegetation. Preliminary reports indicate floating vegetation pushed onto shore, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) ripped loose and pushed ashore, and emergent vegetation bent over. Water samples are also being collected for water quality analysis.
For more information about environmental impacts from Hurricane Wilma on the South Florida Water Management District's regional flood control and water management infrastructure, and on the sections of this system that are vital to restoring the Everglades, re-visit this site, as well as www.sfwmd.gov
Northern Everglades
Reviving the River of Grass
After Hurricane Wilma
