Kissimmee Lake/River SFWMD Recreation Meeting

[N. Cook]

The River's north portion is closed and will remain closed to the south with ramps closed to S65 C until the flow is reduced to a safe level. The Corps has lowered the discharge rate out of the lake. All staffs recognize the importance of opening the River before Nov. 19 if at all possible.

Hunting will only be availble to areas where walk in is possible under the current conditions.

Hurricane damage was minimal and should not disrupt schedule.

The ramp at the south end of the lake is blocked by a tussock and is closed until the vegetation can be removed.

Questions to Fred Davis concerning the Shady Oaks boat ramp which has been closed since the SFWMD bought the land were responded to as follows:

"No decision has been made on what will be done with the land not needed for the easement to be flooded when the lake level is raised. Several schemes are being considered. This land may or may not include the boat ramp. There was no plan to reopen the boat ramp.

Now that the issue has been raised, the situation will be reviewed."

I will suggest the issue be added to the SFWMD Recreation Workshop agenda. I suggest anyone interested in saving one of only two boat ramps on the southwest side of Lake Kissimmee become involved. (Incidentally, the other ramp at Grape Hammock will probably flood out when the lake is raised).

You can express your concern by writing or emailing:

Mr. Fred Davis
Land Steward
SFWMD
3301 Gun Club Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
fdavis@sfwmd.gov

[SSPhone]

FWC at its best here. Dont go the the river as the water level is to high but on the other hand they want to raise the lake higher. :tard:

[David B]

What are saying about FWC? They have no control of the closing of the river. The orders come down from the FEDS(ACOE) and the District. Trust me when I say that FWC would love to see it open.
I have fielded numerous questions about it being closed each and every day so far.
On the other side of the coin, I utilize the river weekly for fishin, frogging and hunting during the permissible seasons. I am land locked and limited until it reopens . I feel your pain and that of others wanting to get out there and have fun. Let's hope that it will be open by the first day of general gun here in our zone.

David

[N. Cook]

We invariably find the FWC is for opening asap.....they do have more of a say on the WCAs as the stress on the animals is involved, not any safety issue....but on the rivers, lakes and areas with control structures which the USACE monitors, they are the ones who make the call. The Water Management Districts and FWC are not going to go against the USACE on a safety decision.

[David B]

Could you guys mail me some applications, say a dozen of them?I have had some folks inquire about UW-F and I would like to put the paper in their hands.

Thanks
David

[SSPhone]

David
Your right I was to quick with the blame,as many time before hands or mouth ingage before brain. I ment SFWMD as I was still steaming from the Shady Oaks tragedy.

[Converted]

BTW I hear the FWC lost a boat last year on the river due to the dangerous currents after hurricane Frances. It can get pretty tricky around those tight turns on the restored portion of the river.

Right now I hear there is an effort to replace the marker bouys that were lost around some of the water control structures. There is supposedly a chance it will be open this week but most likely next week.

David, I'll send you a batch of applications. Thank you! :icon_salu