Local briefs for Sept. 2, 2008
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:32:00
Published 9/2/08 - Star-Banner
The Rainbow Springs Basin Working Group will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 10 at McDonough Capital Management, 7620 South U.S. 41, Dunnellon.
Topics for discussion include Rainbow River turtles, vegetation mapping on the river, and minimum flows and levels for the river.
For more information or a detailed agenda, call Peter Colverson at 327-3270
Source |
Updated boating restrictions for the flooding St. Johns River
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:29:00
Published 9/1/08 - North Florida News Daily
As flooding continues on parts of the St. Johns River, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in cooperation with local, state and federal partners, has enacted a new emergency rule for the affected areas of the river, including its associated lakes and tributaries.
The St. Johns River and its waters may be dangerous for vessels |
Needed rain, few problems brought by Fay
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:25:00
Published 9/1/08 - High Springs Herald
Of the rainfall meters that the Suwannee River Water Management District monitors, Ichetucknee Springs got the most rain in the Crescent Communities with 6.58 inches.
The rainfall helped fill ponds that were empty or nearly empty because of the low aquifer. The rainfall also helped raise the level of the Santa Fe River, causing it to finally dislodge the |
The water is flowing, and business is good
Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:05:00
Published September 1, 2008 - Herald Tribune
...6,000 gallons a minute rushing upward from 125 feet below the surface to a little lake, just an acre and change, that may or may not constitute the Fountain of Youth.
Warm Mineral Springs is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Admission is $20, with discounts for
frequent visitors, AAA members and children |
FL closes river as flooding continues
Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:01:00
Published August 31, 2008 - Disaster News Network
In addition to the two to two and a half feet of rainfall in some places, swollen streams and lakes are still pushing water into areas along the St. Johns River basin. Florida's longest river, the 310 mile long St. Johns, flows northward from Lake Hell'n Blazes to the south in Indian River County to the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville. Flooding is |
FWC to boaters: Avoid the flooded St. Johns River
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:30:00
Published August 29, 2008 - Star-Banner
“The St. Johns River and its waters may be dangerous for vessels right now and the FWC is asking boaters to avoid using these areas if possible until these restrictions are lifted,” an agency news release states.
All of these restricted boating zones are in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at specified flood stages. The river is at |
Corps slows flows from Lake Lanier
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:23:00
Note: not necessary about Florida Springs but what happens to Lake Lanier effects the Apalachicola River here in Florida.
Published Aug. 29, 2008 - Gainesville Times
This week’s increase of more than 2 feet in the level of Lake Lanier is the greatest rise in the lake in two years, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the reservoir. And it keeps rising.
Source |
State Park Staycations
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:19:00
Published 08/29/08 - wmbb.com - News13
There are a multitude of state parks that offer cool, clear waters provided by springs, rivers and beaches. These parks are a unique part of Florida’s ecosystem and offer plenty of activities such as swimming, kayaking, tubing, picnicking and camping. From cooling off at Wakulla Springs, one of the world’s deepest and largest freshwater springs in Florida’s |
Flooding opens Wekiwa Springs to manatees
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:21:00
Published August 28, 2008 - Orange Sentinel
For the first time in memory, manatees are frolicking in the swimming hole at Wekiwa Springs, a spectacle made possible by Tropical Storm Fay.
A pair of manatees, one small and one young adult, has been showing up infrequently for a few minutes at a time.
"The spring hasn't changed," said park biologist Paul Lammardl. "The water is rising because the |
St. Johns River: Some statements clarified
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:26:00
Published 8/27/08
The Aug. 18 letter titled "St. Johns River: Agencies must act responsibly" contained some inaccurate information that warrants clarification.
The St. Johns River Water Management District has not "issued a permit for an out-of-state company to pump 177 million gallons of water a day out of this same aquifer so that it can sell bottled water out of state."
The permit request |
Way down upon the Suwannee River, far far away
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:57:00
Published 26 Aug 2008 - Otago Daily News
...environmentalists and legislators are fighting to keep the stream unspoiled amid thirsty Florida's development.
Bubbling up from the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia, the Suwannee River makes a lazy loop through 400km of mostly rural north Florida before opening wide into the Gulf of Mexico next to a national wildlife refuge and a pretty little |
Massive Sinkhole Opens; Fay May Be Cause
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:56:00
Published August 26, 2008 - WKMG Local6
The sinkhole, which is 20 feet wide and 30 feet deep, is located in a cul de sac near Rock Springs Road in Orange County.
Source |
DeBary sinkhole forces more evacuations
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:40:00
Published August 26, 2008 - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online
Note: Article includes nice map of St. Johns River water levels
More homes in DeBary have been evacuated after a 20-by-50-foot sinkhole opened on Don Smith Boulevard about 7:30 tonight. Families from about 20 homes on Sotheby Way in DeBary Golf and Country Club are being directed to a Red Cross shelter at St. Ann's Catholic Church. |
Canoe/kayak race to benefit children in need
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:39:00
Published August 25, 2008 - Ocala Star-Banner
On Sept. 6, paddlers will launch from Gruff’s Tap and Grill in Dunnellon to embark on Kayak for a Cause, a race to benefit Covenant Children’s Home.
The eight-mile race will start at 9 a.m. from Gruff’s and head down stream, sending the paddlers through a portion of the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers
Source |
Fay is downgraded, exits after long, destructive run
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:38:00
Published Aug. 25, 2008 - The Miami Herald
Gov. Charlie Crist and an entourage of state officials toured the flooded areas along the St. Marks River, which rose from 6.9 feet on Friday to 12.9 feet on Sunday as water streamed in from basins farther north.
Those who live along the St. Marks River expected flooding but not so much water so quickly.
Source |
Idle-speed, no-wake zones may take effect on the St. Johns River
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:30:00
Published August 25, 2008 - North Florida News Daily
When the water reaches a certain level, idle-speed, no-wake zones go into effect. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is cautioning boaters to become familiar with the temporary zone changes of the St. Johns River.
Boaters can learn about the conditions of the St. Johns River by logging onto http://MyFWC.com/boating/ |
Selling water is awful, but it's just one of many problems confronting local waterways
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:28:00
Published August 24, 2008 - Ocala Star-Banner (Opinion)
Allowing 500,000 gallons of water to be pumped from Black Sink Prairie ...while at the same time placing water restrictions on Marion County residents, doesn't make any sense.
About 27 miles of the Ocklawaha River, between Eureka and the Ray Boat Basin in Ocala, is almost completely blocked with fallen trees and can damage boats trying to |
St. Johns River Facts
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:26:00
Published August 25, 2008 - Central Florida News 13
The land area that drains into a water body is called a drainage basin - also called a watershed. St. Johns is divided into three drainage basins.
Saltwater enters the river at its mouth in Jacksonville. In periods of low water, tides may cause a reverse flow as far south as Lake Monroe - 161 miles upstream from the rivers mouth.
Source |
River's worst yet to come
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:59:00
Published August 24, 2008 - Orange Sentinel
The St. Johns River could hit Central Florida this week with some of the worst flooding on record.
Runoff from Fay is gorging nearly every part of the 310-mile St. Johns River, which forms south of Melbourne and flows north to the Orlando area and on to Jacksonville.
Source |
Lake County officials stand up to St. Johns 'water gods'
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:56:00
Published August 24, 2008 - Orlando Sentinel
Niagara wants the St. Johns River Water Management District to give it just under 500,000 gallons a day of water to put in bottles and sell.
Apopka is asking the district for 5 million gallons a day -- 10 times the amount that Niagara wants -- to water lawns.
But what Apopka wants will be far more damaging to Lake County's water systems because it |
Apalachicola River Expected to Flood
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:45:00
Published 08/24/08 - Mbbb.com - News13
Low flow levels along the Apalachicola River have been a major concern for residents who rely on the river for tourism, recreation, and a source of income. Just last month levels sat far below the water gages, but that’s not the case now that Fay has moved through.
Fay may have come and gone but we’re not out of the woods just yet. There’s still a flood |
Fay's remnants not done with Florida yet
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:40:00
Published August 25, 2008 - The News-Press
The St. Marks River, the Ochlockonee River, the St. Johns River near Lake Harney and the St. Mary's River near MacClenny were at major flood stage on Monday afternoon. The St. Marks is expected to crest on Tuesday, officials said.
St. Marks River at Newport (Wakulla County) – at record major flood stage. Crest expected on Tuesday. Major flood stage |
Fay Weakens To Depression After Pounding Central Florida
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:35:00
Published August 24, 2008 - Central Florida News 13
The rising waters of the St. Johns River could leave an entire Lake County town under water.
County deputies sent rescue teams to Astor.
The area did not see much rain from the tropical storm, but there are concerns all the water from other areas will flow into the river and overflow into the town.
The water is already up to the edge of the |
Sinkholes Open Up Across Central Florida
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:26:00
Published August 22, 2008 - Central Florida News 13
More and more sinkholes are popping up across Central Florida after Fay’s heavy rains.
One family in Lake County had to leave their home because of a sinkhole.
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Experience nature on the Chassahowitzka River
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:16:00
Published August 22, 2008 - Bay News 9
Deep in Citrus County lies a gem for nature and water lovers: the Chassahowitzka River Campground.
The 40-acre campground is within walking or boating distance of the 30,000 acre Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
Source |
Florida Springs News
