Low water levels cause concern

Indian River County's low water levels causing conflict on shore

By ED KILLER edward.killer@scripps.com April 9, 2007
FELLSMERE — In the Garcia Reservoir south of Fellsmere, bass anglers are running aground. The 15-month-long drought gripping Florida is pinching off vital avenues of navigation. And access to favorite fishing holes are drying up for boaters and anglers throughout the Treasure Coast.
Evaporating waters are receding from boat ramps and bringing sand bars, rocky areas and submerged obstructions in closer proximity to boat hulls and propellers. With an estimated two more months of dry weather in the forecast,anglers and boaters planning trips to Blue Cypress Lake, the Stick Marsh, Garcia Reservoir, C-25, C-24, C-23, the St. Lucie Canal or Lake Okeechobee can expect to find more boat ramps that fail to reach the water's edge. Even where there is enough water to launch a boat, running aground is often an expensive — and dangerous — proposition.
'HISTORICAL LOW WATER LEVELS'
The South Florida Water Management District reported that the past 15 months have been the driest on record for this part of the state. Almost all of the Treasure Coast's freshwater ponds, lakes and canals are recharged solely by rains.
"Based on the extended forecast, we could get pretty close to what may be historical low water levels," said Boyd Gunsalus, senior environmental scientist with the district.
Measurements on Lake Okeechobee indicate water levels are dropping at rate of about 0.11 inches per day or a little more than an inch a week.
The St. Lucie Canal — the eastern segment of the Okeechobee Waterway that bisects the state — is an important conduit that enables recreational and commercial boat traffic to travel across Florida rather than around it saving 206 miles. It's worth $55 million of economic development value to the state.
RUNNING AGROUND
However, as the average depth of Lake Okeechobee and its surrounding canals approach historical lows, boaters and anglers are feeling impacts that have far reaching effects — both good and bad. Docks along the canal reach out into thin air and stand eight feet above dry land. Sailboats that moored in ample water in 2005 and 2006 are now lying on their sides on desert-dry canal banks.
The waterway's levels severely impede boat traffic. During the past two weeks, a half dozen large cruising vessels suffered damage after running aground on submerged rocks in the canal, said Eric Bamberg, yard manager of Indiantown Marina.
"This is extreme," Bamberg said. "We've hauled out a few boats that ripped off keels and rudders."
One boat towed in was taking on water and had an estimated $40,000 of damage, Bamberg said.
The drought also is impacting fishing trips.
"The low water is hurting everybody," said Jeanne Middleton, owner of Middleton's Fish Camp at Blue Cypress Lake west of Vero Beach. "We're low, the Stick Marsh is low and (Lake) Garcia is a mud hole. We've been calling customers who were planning to stay with us to let them know they may not be able to get out onto the lake."
Jeanne's husband, Joe, has been at Blue Cypress Lake for 46 years. He said this is lowest he has ever seen the lake in April.
Last week, the St. Johns River Water Management District dug out the access canal from the camp into the lake, so boaters have access until water levels recede more.
Springtime is the best time of year to catch bluegills and Mayan cichlids in C-24 Canal through Port St. Lucie, said Capt. C.W. Bishop. But last week city parks officials were forced to close the ramp at Oak Hammock Park because of low water.
ANY UPSIDE TO LOW WATER?
Low water is not all bad when it comes to fish populations in ponds and lakes, said Jon Fury, regional fisheries administrator for the South Region of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Fury said in the long term, aquatic plant life can re-seed and grow more vigorously in low water.
"Low water level does concentrate fish populations making it easier for anglers and predators like otters, alligators and ospreys to catch them," he said. "But when the fish concentrate, they also become susceptible to other factors. Low oxygen, disease and parasites can become more damaging and when the water drops low enough, the fish stop spawning."
Where anglers can get out onto area lakes, the fishing has been fairly strong, said Jeremy Prouty, a Vero Beach bass angler who fished a tournament on Lake Okeechobee March 31.
"There are spots where boaters cannot get out onto the lake," said Prouty, referring to Harney Pond Canal along the northwest shore. "If you run the main lake, you're really taking a chance. But there really aren't a lot of places to fish right now."
Capt. Mike Shellen is a fishing guide on Lake Okeechobee. His personal pontoon boat sits on dry land in the canal behind his home in Buckhead Ridge.
"This time of year, you'd like to have eight to nine spots where you can fish to reduce the amount of pressure on a specific spot," he said. "Now, I'm down to two or three spots. The fishing is still good, but it will drop off soon."
And in dry times like this people should only be out on the water if they have experience boating.
"I see someone run aground every day," said Shellen noting that airboat owners are charging $250 to pull boaters off sand bars. But it's the rocks and other submerged objects that worry him. "Someone could get killed out here."
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Extreme low water conditions are affecting motorized boat traffic and fishing throughout the Treasure Coast. Here is a look at some of the impacts:
Lock schedules on Okeechobee Waterway: Eastbound vessels will pass through the lock on even hours between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Westbound vessels will pass through the lock on odd hours between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Conditions will be evaluated on a weekly basis.
Navigation depth: 4.03 feet
More information: www.saj.usace.army.mil and scroll down for Lake Okeechobee
Boaters can contact Lock Masters on VHF Channel 13
BOATER BEWARE
Channel Marker 52 in the Okeechobee Waterway east of Port Mayaca has become a hazard to navigation. In the past two weeks, several vessels passing through the St. Lucie Canal have run aground on submerged rocks near Marker 52.
Boater assistance: SeaTow and Towboat U.S. have stepped up assistance efforts on the Okeechobee Waterway. Boater's in need should call VHF Channel 16. SeaTow can be reached directly at (772) 225-3144. Towboat U.S. can be reached at (772) 286-8123.
Accidents: Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 404-3922.
Further assistance: Indiantown Marina on the St. Lucie Canal can be reached at (772)597-2455 or at www.indiantownmarina.com.
Stick Marsh: Open
Lake Garcia: Open
Blue Cypress Lake: Open
St. Lucie County
C-25 Angle Road, Fort Pierce: Open
C-24 Oak Hammock Park, Port St. Lucie: Closed
Martin County
C-23 Boat Ramp Road, Palm City: Closed
C-44 Timer Powers Park, Indiantown: Open
J & S Fish Camp, Lake Okeechobee: Too low to launch
Port Mayaca Lock, Lake Okeechobee: Open
Okeechobee County
Harney Pond Canal, Lake Okeechobee: Too low to launch
Indian Prairie Canal, Lake Okeechobee: Open
Okeetantie Park, Lake Okeechobee: Open