Lake O Sediment Study Held Nov. 17

Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Published Nov. 16, 2021

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District plans to execute a one-day deviation Nov. 17 as part of an ongoing sediment study by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

There are no plans to release lake water from the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80) as part of this study.

The deviation to the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule is designed to help SFWMD and USGS find ways to predict sediment and nutrients transportation from the lake to the estuaries.

The deviation will allow up to 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow for short periods of time for up to eight hours at the Julian Keen Jr. Lock and Dam (S-77). USACE executed a similar deviation in April to support the same study. This portion of the research was originally planned for earlier in November, but was postponed due to heavy rainfall in the test area.

While the deviation allows for up 6,000 cfs releases in short durations, it is expected that the daily average flows will be closer to 1,600 cfs at S-77. To ensure there is enough time, the study was approved for an eight hour period, but is expected to be completed in much less time. Actual duration is more likely to be four hours or less.

Downstream flows at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) are expected to be elevated due to these releases. The maximum effect of these releases on Lake Okeechobee stage is less than ¼ inch.


Contact
Jim Yocum
(904) 232-3914

Release no. 21-090