SFWMD Continues to Move Water South to Combat High Water Emergency
Latest video update highlights District's ongoing efforts to lower water levels caused by record rainfall
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Click on the image to watch the latest SFWMD Video Update on current water conditions and actions being taken to address the high water emergency situation.
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West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has been working around the clock for months to lower water levels in the water conservation areas and create capacity for sending additional Lake Okeechobee water south, all in an effort to alleviate South Florida's high water emergency caused by record May rainfall and other recent storms.
As those efforts continue, SFWMD Chief Engineer John Mitnik gave an update about the latest water conditions and ongoing efforts to the SFWMD Governing Board at its monthly meeting. The update can be seen by
clicking HERE or visiting the District's website dedicated to the emergency situation at
www.sfwmd.gov/managinghighwater.
Rainfall was 2.03 inches below average in September, Mitnik reported, but for the wet season overall, rainfall was almost 3 inches above average.
Background
Record rainfall in May 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 has been taking 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. Through these ongoing efforts, SFWMD moved hundreds of billions of gallons out of the conservation areas and the water levels in those areas are now at or near their regulation schedules.
Releases by the Army Corps to the St. Lucie Estuary were terminated earlier this month but continue to the Caloosahatchee Estuary.
Online channels to learn more about efforts to lower water levels
