This update is by John N. Harris, member of the Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustee, At Large. This information is not an official LCWA communication. My views and writing below are my own, however I do strive to provide factually accurate and up to date information on our area’s lakes and other related water quality issues.
Good news! Area lake levels are on the rise. However, the drought upon us is not over yet and we have a long, long way to go before we get back to normal – which means our lakes, rivers and wetlands water levels at or above the historic normal ranges. Therefore, we must remain vigilant about the use of local surface waters.
On the South end of the County, the Clermont chain of lakes and the Palatlakaha River are not doing as well as most water areas in the North.
During June, our rainfall averaged 5.86 inches, which is 1.42 inches below the historical average (7.28 inches) for Clermont. However, for the year to date, the total rainfall of 24.41 inches is 2.75 inches above the historical average of 22.26 inches. This is approximately 110% of the expected year-to-date rainfall.
Currently, there are no LCWA dams or water retention structures on the Palatlakaha River that are up to levels that allow for releasing flow down stream (to the north). This is primarily due to a lack of rainfall in the Green Swamp, which feeds the Clermont chain.
As of Tuesday, July 14, 2009, Lake Minnehaha was at 92.79 ft. that is 4.21 ft. below the desired elevation of 97.00 ft. and 3.21 ft. below the regulatory range (96.0 ft. - 97.50 ft.).
In the Central and Northern areas, things are looking much better. Season rainfall amounts are above average due to a very wet May.
As of Tuesday, July 14, 2009 all of the lakes in the Harris Chain are approaching, however still remain below, the regulatory levels. The District started moving water through the Burrell Structure within the past couple of days. The Burrell Structure is located on Haynes Creek and controls water levels on Lakes Harris, Eustis Dora and Beauclair.
As of yesterday, the lake levels for Lakes Harris, Eustis, Dora and Beauclair were approximately 63.175 ft. that is 0.425 ft. above the regulatory level of 62.75. The lakes were within 0.325 ft. of Eustis/Harris maximum desirable level of 63.5 ft. The District is currently releasing approximately 275 cfs through the Burrell Structure.
Lake Apopka is at 66.75 ft. and remains 0.20 ft. below the regulatory schedule level of 66.95 ft. As such, only the minimum flow is being released from the Apopka-Beauclair Structure.
Lake Griffin is at the regulatory level of 58.75 ft. Currently, only the minimum discharge is currently being released through the Moss Bluff Structure.
Update on Lake County Water Authority Activities
Apopka Beauclair Canal Nutrient Reduction Facility (NuRF) - The facility began operation on March 2, 2009 and has treated over 213 million cubic feet of water already.
On average, the reductions of the solids and pollutants in the water have been ranging from approximately 70–80% of the total amounts before treatment. We hope to get that figure up as water flows increase.
The Nutrient Reduction Facility removed 827 pounds (376 kilograms) of total phosphorus between March 2, 2009 and June 10, 2009. This equates to a 71% reduction in total phosphorus polluting Lake Beauclair.
Water coming into the facility has a phosphorus reading of 125 parts per-billion (ppb). The treated water coming out of the NuRF facility and entering into Lake Beauclair is 37 ppb, which is within 5 ppb of the target Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) established for Lake Beauclair by the state. That’s a lot of Lake Apopka’s gunk that will not be going into the Harris chain and beyond!
The NuRF is a cooperative effort for water quality improvement by the Lake County Water Authority, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
There will be an opening celebration and open house for the public at the NuRF facility coming up in October. Read more on that day in my next posting.
Lake Beauclair Restoration Project - The LCWA authorized staff to move ahead with completing the 60% and 100% design plans and to apply for an Environmental Resource Permit. The SJRWMD also intends to have the biological assessment finished by this time for concurrent submittal to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Harris Chain Minimum Flows and Levels - The SJRWMD Governing Board took action on its MFL priority list at its November meeting.
The Upper Ocklawaha River Basin lakes (Harris Chain) is on the priority list and an MFL for the UORB lakes is to be completed in 2013. District staff continues to work with Water Authority Land Management staff to gain access to Water Authority properties to do vegetation transects in support of developing the MFLs.
Water Authority staff will continue to stay closely involved with the revision of the proposed priority list and will update the Board as necessary.
Other Consumptive Use Permitting Issues – LCWA Board members have expressed a concern about finding out about decisions on Water Use Permits (WUPs) late in the St. Johns process, leaving little time for the Board to react. LCWA staff has researched the Districts web-based permitting information and has determined that as of July 10, 2009 there were 49 active Water Use Permits for Lake County.
John’s Recreational Trip Tip
Did you know?
You don’t need your own boat to get out on the water and enjoy our beautiful lakes and rivers at no coast! Yes that’s right, it’s FREE of charge.
Both canoes and kayaks are available at locations on Lake County Water Authority property. For a reservation and to get all the exciting details...Call the Water Authority at 352 343-3777.
John N. Harris
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