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More detail about the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Construction Project
Phase II Technical Plan is online at: www.sfwmd.gov/northerneverglades. >
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Another benefit is that the Lakeside Ranch STA is capable of recirculating water from Lake Okeechobee for additional phosphorus removal due to the type of lock structure shown below. Very impressive in person.
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Project benefit
Up to 19 metric tons of phosphorus will be removed annually from runoff flows moving through the STA and into Lake Okeechobee. This will contribute toward the goal of achieving the Lake Okeechobee Total Maximum Daily Load phosphorus target.
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The project is designed in two phases: The northern STA and inflow pump station; and the southern STA, including a second pump station to manage rim canal levels in Lake Okeechobee during high water flow periods and recirculate water in Lake Okeechobee back to the STA for additional phosphorus removal.
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The project involves constructing a 2,000-acre wetland that will use emergent vegetation to remove phosphorus from stormwater runoff in the Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough basin before it enters Lake Okeechobee.
Lakeside Ranch STA
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Lakeside Ranch STA is in the Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough sub- watershed, one of the nutrient “hot spots” in the Lake Okeechobee watershed.
The 2,600-acre Lakeside Ranch project is a key component of the 2007 Northern Everglades & Estuaries Protection Program. This landmark state restoration initiative expanded the Lake Okeechobee Protection Act to strengthen protection for the Northern Everglades, recognizing connectivity of the entire Everglades ecosystem and the importance of capturing and cleaning water before it flows into Lake Okeechobee. The Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) is featured in the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Construction Project Phase II Technical Plan.
On my tour I also visited the Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area. The rest of this week will largely be dedicated to background, commentary and images of the amazing Lakeside Ranch Project!
The Taylor Creek - Nubbin Slough (TCNS) Basin is directly north of Lake Okeechobee. The watershed covers 120,000 acres of a typically flat landscape with generally poorly drained, coarse textured soils (Spodosols) that have a low phosphorus retention capacity. Water flow from the basin tributaries enters Lake Okeechobee through a flow control structure (S-191).
Lake Okeechobee provides drinking and irrigation water, supports commercial and sport fishing, and is a habitat for many migratory as well as endemic bird species. High phosphorus (P) concentrations in Lake Okeechobee promote eutrophic conditions that impair all water uses.
http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/rcwp/fl1prof.html
How can I receive the latest information?
For additional information on the Lake Okeechobee Critical Restoration Project, please contact Lisa Kreiger, 863-462-5260, e-mail HYPERLINK "mailto:lhornun@sfwmd.gov" lkreiger@sfwmd.gov. To learn more about the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, please visit our website at HYPERLINK "http://www.evergladesplan.org" www.evergladesplan.org.
