The Southwest Florida Water Management today updated its forecast for the area’s lakes.
The SWFWMD reported that the rains we’ve had in August 2019 have had an impact.
Fish had been killed on Lake Pasoffkee and on the Outlet River, as well. “This is a natural occurrence”, the district said, “caused by low oxygen levels from recent heavy rains, cloudy days, and high-water levels.”
The Gulf of Mexico gag grouper recreational season in state waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties will be open for harvest Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.
The season for all other Gulf state and federal waters is June 1 through Dec. 31.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is advising that beginning early Saturday morning, August 17, 2019, FDOT and CSX will close a section of US Highway 98 (Ponce De Leon Boulevard) between Jefferson Street and Yontz Road in Brooksville (Hernando County).
This closure is necessary for CSX to replace the railroad crossing located just north of Oakdale Avenue.
By Mark Fulkerson, Ph.D., P.E.,
Southwest Florida Water Management District
The current high water is not isolated to the Withlacoochee River system.
The Peace, Myakka, Manatee, Alafia and Hillsborough Rivers (within our District) have already reached flood stage.
Flooding is also occurring in numerous low-lying areas near wetlands, swamps or other generally low areas throughout our 16-county region. This high water is a natural response to the rainfall our region has been receiving. Please take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your property, because its only mid-August and more rain is on the way.
The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) today advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Citrus County.
Several sentinel chicken flocks have tested positive for West Nile virus infection. The risk of transmission to humans has increased.
Citrus County Mosquito Control District and DOH-Citrus continue surveillance and prevention efforts.