South Florida district initiates environmental water supply release

December 27, 2001 — In compliance with Caloosahatchee River minimum flows and levels rules, the South Florida Water Management District is releasing small amounts of water from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River and estuary for environmental water supply purposes.

The low-level fresh water releases from Lake Okeechobee will greatly benefit the estuary's ecological system, specifically the recovery of grass beds that are currently threatened by high salinity levels. Recent ecological analysis performed by the District indicate that under current conditions along the Caloosahatchee, the estuary grass beds now require a fresh water infusion to continue a steady and healthy recovery.

The environmental pulse releases will begin at 7 a.m. on Thursday, December 20th and could continue for up to 30 days. Any stormwater runoff in the area could reduce the amount of water required from Lake Okeechobee to the estuary ecosystem.

The releases from S-77 and S-79 will be carefully monitored to moderate the salinity level in the area consistent with the intent of the District's minimum flows and levels rules. Comprehensive studies and extensive monitoring of the Caloosahatchee ecological system will determine the need for additional releases.

The District will coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a weekly basis in order to confirm the need for additional pulse releases. This action is consistent with the Corps Water Control Plan for Lake Okeechobee and the District�s authority to allocate water releases.