Wca 1, Wca2, Wca 3 Report

[N. Cook]

While at the Lake Okeechobee Restoration Meeting in Clewiston today with David (who is on the Committee) I was able to speak with Bob Howard, Director Operation and Control, SFWMD. He said WCA 1 is 1 foot below schedule, WCA 2 is at schedule (note Holeyland and Roteberger were opened today and they are adjoining) and WCA 3 is 1 1/2 feet above schedule.

WCA 3 can be at schedule in 60 days under current conditions and normal rainfall.

I told him I would be meeting with the FWC to insure the opening of 2 and 3 asap, and that we had a proposal at the FWC for a partial opening if necessary. He was very supportive of the plan and said if the FWC was ready the district would be as well.

We all agree the vegetation clogged culverts at the Tamiami Trail into the Park are the major culprits slowing WCA drainage. There is a proposed "experiment" to clear the culverts but the Park and District were "working on it". Don't expect much from this in the time we have.

He is sending water south at the slowest pace he can.

[N. Cook]

I was able to visit with Chuck Collins, Director Southern Region FWC, today during the GRAND OPENING ceremony for the 20 Mile Bend Boat Ramp. He believes all will be ok unless we get a storm. The several phone calls he has received were noted.

This boat ramp replaces one closed many years ago and gives access to the northwestern rim canal to the LOX. Federal Refuge. The ramp is located just east of STA 1W. Hours are the same as the Refuge. The north part of the Refuge itself is NOT open to the public......?????

[Converted]

...The north part of the Refuge itself is NOT open to the public......?????

Not open for anything or not open for hunting?

[N. Cook]

Not open for anything. A small area around the office on the east side is open and the bottom third of the refuge....the rim canals are open. It seemed at the new ramp that the rim canal to the east is blocked....so you could only go west...strange.

[novaalex]

for backing up the initial phone calls. Holey Land is a victory and WCA 3 would just be dandy! I'll make sure to stay on this!

[DUCKWHACKER]

Thanks for the update guys.

[Phil T]

I saw a buggy putting in at Holey Land today and a few ATV's heading in also, apparently the word is out. The deer population along the L5 has continued to decline, the animals are adapting to conditions and spreading out, I don't really know the area that well but the reasons for the closure seem to be abating.