Caloosahatchee Condition Report, submitted on behalf of the west coast participants on the Corps periodic scientists phone call, to provide scientific information about the condition of the Caloosahatchee and estuary. Caloosahatchee Condition Summary July rainfall 172% above normal has resulted in excessively high flows, up to 10,328 cfs, the past week at S79 that continued to reduce salinity in the lower estuary. Average flow at S79 for the last 30 days (6/17/13-7/16/13) was 6,814 cfs, well above the 4,500 cfs harm threshold. Sustained flows above 2,800 cfs have caused mortality of marine organisms and seagrass habitat in the lower estuary. Salinities at the Iona oyster reefs in the lower estuary have remained in the mortality range for oysters and shoal grass for the past ten days. USACE Action: A 14-day pulse release averaging 4000 cfs, measured at S-77, began on 7/5/13. Recommendation: With continued high flows from watershed runoff expected, we request that the SFWMD utilize all storage options for reducing flows to the estuaries including maximizing storage in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and all Distributed Water Management (DWM) projects and the C43 West Basin Reservoir site. Past reports and background information on Caloosahatchee conditions are available online at: sccf.org/content/201/Caloosahatchee-Condition-Reports.aspx Thank you for your consideration. Paul Tritaik & Joyce Palmer - J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuges Complex James Evans & Holly Downing - City of Sanibel Keith Kibbey - Lee County Environmental Lab Keith Laakkonen - Town of Fort Myers Beach Rae Ann Wessel & Rick Bartleson Ph.D. - Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation Rae Ann Wessel Natural Resource Policy Director Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 00:48:34 +0000
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