U.S. Army Corps of Engineers In partnership with the South Florida Water Management District Water Management in South Florida

Water Management Environment Challenge Incorporate environmental enhancements into projects While meeting other project requirements

4 18,000 Square Miles 4 Highly managed system Million people 4 Multi-Billion Dollar economy focused on tourism, agriculture, and commercial activities South Florida Water System

Water Management Infrastructure 2nd largest freshwater lake in US – 700 square miles Over 1,000 miles of levees and canals Over 150 water control structures Over 18 major pump stations Inland Waterway across peninsular Florida 2nd largest freshwater lake in US – 700 square miles Over 1,000 miles of levees and canals Over 150 water control structures Over 18 major pump stations Inland Waterway across peninsular Florida

Operating Purposes Flood Control Water Supply including Everglades National Park Fish and Wildlife Protection Environmental Restoration Groundwater recharge Navigation Prevention of saltwater intrusion Flood Control Water Supply including Everglades National Park Fish and Wildlife Protection Environmental Restoration Groundwater recharge Navigation Prevention of saltwater intrusion

Water Management and Meteorology Decision Support Tools Corps Water Management System (CWMS) Graphical Plots Statistical analysis Realtime gaging network Domestic Satellite (DOMSAT) Receive Station (DRS) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) NOAAPORT Weather and flood forecasting Tropical storm information NEXRAD radar rainfall Graphical weather maps Satellite images

S-2 & S-351 Lake Okeechobee S-77 S-3 & S-354 S-308 S-352 Lake Okeechobee – Major Outlets

ZONE A ZONE B ZONE C ZONE D Water Supply Releases Jan FebMar Apr MayJunJulAug Sep OctNovDec Flood Discharges Pulse Release to Minimize Estuary Impact Dry Season Wet Season ~100% Capacity ~50% Capacity ~40% Capacity ~25% Capacity Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule

Too much/too little water for the Everglades/south Florida ecosystem Massive reductions in wetland areas and wading bird populations Degradation of water quality Repetitive water shortages and salt water intrusion Declining estuary health 1.7 billion gallons of water a day wasted to tide Too much/too little water for the Everglades/south Florida ecosystem Massive reductions in wetland areas and wading bird populations Degradation of water quality Repetitive water shortages and salt water intrusion Declining estuary health 1.7 billion gallons of water a day wasted to tide An entire Ecosystem in Trouble….

Operational Parameters

Revised Lake Okeechobee Operating Schedule Lake Okeechobee Water Supply / Environmental Regulation Schedule (WSE) Incorporates tributary hydrologic conditions and climate forecasts for operational decisions Utilizes pulse releases to mimic natural rainfall and runoff

Water Management Actions Elsewhere Kissimmee Headwaters Revitalization Schedule S-65B Demolition The goal is: “Management to approximate historical flow characteristics.”

Operational Changes Throughout the System Rain Driven Operations for Water Conservation Areas and Everglades National Park Incorporates historical water levels and rainfall with current conditions To produce more natural hydrologic patterns

System Wide Aspect Enhancing operations through Adaptive Management Testing and Monitoring Flexible Operations Operational Experience

Water Management Summary Implementation + System operations = Success

Questions?