Aug. 24, 2018

SFWMD Emergency Estuary Protection Wells and Their Effect on Estuary Releases During High Water Emergencies
Latest video update highlights District's strategies for reducing estuary discharges
 
Operations Update: Managing High Water, Aug. 24, 2018
Click on the image to watch the latest SFWMD weekly video update on actions being taken to manage water.
 
West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has been working around the clock to lower water levels in the water conservation areas to create capacity for sending additional Lake Okeechobee water south, all in an effort to alleviate South Florida's high water emergency.
 
SFWMD Principal Hydrogeologist Robert Verrastro gave an update on the District research efforts regarding alternative methods to reduce discharges as part of the agency's weekly video series. The video series and website were established to inform the public on current water conditions and the agency's actions amid the high water emergency. The video update can be seen by clicking HERE or visiting the District's website dedicated to the emergency situation at www.sfwmd.gov/managinghighwater.
 
In the video, Verrastro discusses one of the strategies being explored by SFWMD to reduce releases to the coastal estuaries during high water emergencies such as the current situation caused by record May rainfall.
 
The strategy, known as Emergency Estuary Protection Wells, would use deep injection technology to put water underground into the "boulder zone." The wells would be used during events like the current situation when Lake Okeechobee has risen so high that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has no other option but to release water from the lake to the coastal estuaries in order to protect residents surrounding the lake from flooding. The water injected using these wells would otherwise have been discharged to the estuaries, where it may cause ecological harm.
 
SFWMD staff such as Verrastro are working on a plan to build two test wells to prove deep injection technology can be used for stormwater applications. The test wells would help SFWMD gather more scientific data so the emergency wells could be used on a larger scale to protect the estuaries in the near future.
 
Background
May's record rainfall caused Lake Okeechobee to rise more than a foot, which led the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin releases from the lake on June 1 to the northern estuaries. At the same time, this record rainfall inundated the water conservation areas, causing them to rise considerably above their regulation schedules. To combat this, SFWMD continues to take every action within its authority to lower water levels, including storing water on public and private lands. Additionally, every available structure is being utilized and temporary pumps have been installed to move additional water.
 
Since May 14, SFWMD's actions have moved more than 44 billion gallons south from lake Okeechobee and more than 205 billion gallons out of the water conservation areas either to tide or into Everglades National Park. These actions will help create capacity to move more water south and reduce the need for estuary releases.
 
As more measures are implemented, details will be available on the Managing High Water website.
 
Online channels to learn more about efforts to lower water levels
Media Contact: 
Randy Smith  |   rrsmith@sfwmd.gov    |  Office: 561-682-2800  |  Cell: 561-389-3386
The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to protect South Florida's water resources by balancing and improving flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems.

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