A Message from MIKE BARTLETT, Structure Controls Analyst, SWFWMD

We have completed the new operational guidelines for the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes. Please keep in mind that the guidelines are just that, they are intended to serve as general guidelines for the routine operations of the District’s water control structures.

The guidelines describe operations under three scenarios:

• Low Water Conditions (filling mode);
• Normal Operational Range (filling/conservation modes); and
• High Water Conditions (flood control mode).

What’s New

1. The new operational guidelines are based on the recently adopted Minimum Levels for Lake Tsala Apopka (included with the new guidelines), not the previous Guidance Levels.

2. Unlike the previous operational procedure, once water can be diverted from the Withlacoochee River into the chain of lakes, all river inflows will be equally distributed between the three pools (i.e., 33.3%-33.3%-33.3%). Previously, the Floral City Pool had to reach its Minimum Low Management guidance level before water would be diverted into the Inverness Pool. Similarly, the water level in the Inverness Pool would then have to reach its Minimum Low Management guidance before water would be discharged into the Hernando.

3. Under the new guidelines, the local runoff a pool receives from its watershed will be retained within the pool and not be allowed to discharge to the downstream pool until such time the pool elevation reaches it adopted Minimum Level. At that time, water from the upstream pool may be discharged to the downstream pool if it is below its adopted minimum level.

4. Once all three pools have reached their respective Minimum Level, the operation goal is to attempt to bring up the elevations in the three pools equally, while continuing to apportion river inflow equally between the three pools.

We are confident that the new operational guidelines will enhance our ability to fairly distribute resources when they are available. Please remember that these are new guidelines and changes may have to be made as we continue our effort to improve upon the operation of the system.

• Operational Guidelines for the Tsala-Apopka Chain of Lakes effective 1/01/10
  (Includes a comparison of the old Guidance Levels with the new Minimum and Guidance Levels for the Floral City, Inverness and Hernando pools)

• Lake Panasoffkee Wysong Monitoring

As always, if anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the new guidelines please do not hesitated to call or email.

MIKE BARTLETT, Structure Controls Analyst
Operations Department, Southwest Florida Water Management District
2379 Broad Street
Brooksville, Florida 34604
Voice: (352) 796-7211 #4515
mike.bartlett@swfwmd.state.fl.us

"State ’Water Czar’ idea resurfaces"

President’s Message:

Economic recovery, real estate values, business growth, employment - all will lag in Citrus County and the Nature Coast if we lose local control of our water.

We hope we can count on your support to combat this attack again.

Al Grubman
President
TOO FAR, Inc. and
TOO FAR Water and Natural Resources Foundation, Inc.

Please contact your representatives:

Click here to send an Email
to the ALL of following:

• Senator Charles Dean
        - dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov
• Senator Mike Fasano
        - fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
• Representative Ron Schultz
        - Ron.Schultz@myfloridahouse.gov
• County Commissioner Gary Bartell
        - gary.bartell@bocc.citrus.fl.us
• County Commissioner Dennis Damato
        - dennis.damato@bocc.citrus.fl.us
• County Commissioner John Thrumston
        - john.thrumston@bocc.citrus.fl.us
• County Commissioner Joe Meek
        - joe.meek@bocc.citrus.fl.us
• County Commissioner Winn Webb
        - winn.webb@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Read more on the topic:

• Letter to Governor Charles Crist from Gary Bartell, First Vice Chairman, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners - November 9, 2009

• Interim Report 2010-114, Chapter 373, F.S., Water Resources - Issued by the Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation staff on Sept. 2009

• Presidents’ Message - TOOFAR News - Oct. 2008

• Plan for a Florida water czar resurfaces at conference
  Craig Pittman, Times staff writer (In Print: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, St. Petersburg Times)

• State ’water czar’ idea resurfaces
  Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer (In Print: October 31, 2009, St. Petersburg Times)

• Our Water Crisis: Too Big For Even a Czar
  Susan J. Marks, Journalist, Author, Aqua Shock (Posted: October 19, 2009, Huffington Post)