Citrus County Road Maintenance has closed West Plantation Lane in Crystal River from North Hourglass Terrace to North Michaelmas Terrace.
A detour will direct vehicles from West Plantation Lane south on North Hourglass Terrace to West Pimpernel Lane, then north on North Michaelmas Terrace back to West Plantation Lane.
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.
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.