For the second time this summer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District is implementing temporary changes in operations to address high water conditions within the Everglades’ water conservation areas west of the Fort Lauderdale and Miami metro areas.
The deviation approved on Tuesday (Aug. 1) allows for higher water levels in Water Conservation Area 2A for the rest of summer and the first half of fall. The dry-season recession will start in November, and will take place over six months instead of the normal four months.
“The measures we implemented in June have helped, but we must do more to reverse the trend,” said Carol Bernstein, Jacksonville District Operations Division Chief. “Levels continue to rise in Water Conservation Area 3A. This action will help reduce some of the inflows into the area from Conservation Area 2.”
Heavy rain since the beginning of June have caused the water levels in the conservation areas to rise to historic levels for this time of year. This temporary deviation aims to reduce stages in Water Conservation Area 3A in Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.
The level today in Water Conservation Area 1 is 16.70 feet, the level in Water Conservation Area 2 is 13.30 feet, and the level in Water Conservation Area 3 is 11.35 feet.
Due to the urgency of these operational changes, an expedited Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been prepared to assess any environmental impacts associated with this action. The EA and FONSI are currently available for public and agency review. Comments will be accepted through September 1, 2017. Additional information is available at: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Water-Management/WCA-3-High-Water-Deviation/
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Release no. 17-030