MEMORANDUM To: USACE Colonel Andrew D. Kelly, LTC Todd F. Polk, Richard McMillen, Kim Taplin, SFWMD Governing Board,

Executive Director Drew Bartlett, LTC Jennifer Reynolds, Lawrence Glenn, DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein

From: Periodic Scientists Conference Call Participants Kevin Godsea & Jeremy Conrad - J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex James Evans & Holly Milbrandt - City of Sanibel Lesli Haynes & Lisa Kreiger - Lee County Harry Phillips & Maya Robert - City of Cape Coral Rae Ann Wessel & Rick Bartleson, Ph.D. - Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation

Subject: Caloosahatchee & Estuary Condition Report Reporting Period: April 28 - May 4, 2020

This report provides a scientific assessment of Caloosahatchee River and Estuary conditions and how these conditions affect the health, productivity and function of the system.

Caloosahatchee Condition Summary: Caloosahatchee estuary salinities remain high despite recent rainfall. Average flows increased to a weekly average of 672 cfs at S-79 the past week. The Caloosahatchee estuary continues to need flows to reduce salinities throughout the estuary. USACE Action: On 5/2/20 the Corps increased pulse releases to the Caloosahatchee from Lake Okeechobee at a 7-day average of 650 cfs at S-79. Releases to the St. Lucie estuary at S-80 remain at zero cfs. Recommendation: The Caloosahatchee needs additional water to lower salinity levels throughout the estuary to protect the remaining western edge of tape grass habitat in the upper estuary and oysters and seagrass in the lower estuary. We request the District continue flows of 650 cfs at S-79 or apply equivalent cutbacks to all permitted users to provide shared adversity in water shortage.

Lake Okeechobee Level: 11.37 ft. (Beneficial Use Sub Band) Last week: 11.46 ft.

Lake Okeechobee Inflow: 781 cfs Lake Okeechobee Outflow: 2,522 cfs

Weekly Rainfall Total: WP Franklin 0.9" Ortona 1.08” Moore Haven 0.65” Salinity Beautiful Island: 4.8 - 8.2 psu (SCCF RECON) Previous week ND Salinity Fort Myers: 11- 17 psu (SCCF Surface FM Yacht Basin) Previous week 11- 15 psu 15 - 20 psu (SCCF RECON) Previous week 14 – 20 psu

Salinity Shell Point: 26 – 34 psu (SCCF RECON) Previous week 27 – 35 psu

Salinity (psu)

Current Value

Sustainable Range

High/ Low

Beautiful Is 4.8 – 8.2 < 5 psu High

Fort Myers 15 - 20 <10 psu High

Shell Point 26 - 34 25 - 32 psu High

Light (25% Iz depth meters)

Fort Myers 0.88 1 meter Low

Shell Point 2.21 2.2 meters In Range Causeway 3.04 2.2 meters In Range

Caloosahatchee Estuary Page 2 of 3

Lake Flows: The past 7 days 17,405 AF of water was discharged from Lake Okeechobee; 40% to the Caloosahatchee thru S-77, a net -4,680 AF backflowed from the St. Lucie into the lake at S-308, 58% was discharged south to the EAA, a net -70 AF backflowed from L8 into the lake and 2% was discharged through S-310. Of the 58% of lake discharges south, 15% reached the WCAs and 0 flow reached Everglades National Park.

ACOE Daily Reports

Date S79 Flow (cfs)

S78 Flow (cfs)

S77 Flow (cfs)

4/28/2020 448 298 68

4/29/2020 476 365 356

4/30/2020 763 439 410

5/1/2020 734 445 506

5/2/2020 677 578 560

5/3/2020 895 630 729

5/4/2020 713 385 822

7 day Avg 672 449 493

Cyanobacteria Status: Sampling by Lee County Environmental Lab on 5/5/20 reported presence of cyanobacteria species Microcystis, Dolichospermum, Aphanizomenon, Aphanocapsa, and nostocalean filaments at the Alva bridge, and Microcystis and nostocalean filaments upstream of the WP Franklin Locks.

Upstream of S-79/Franklin Conditions: The Lee County Olga Water Treatment plant will be offline until further notice.

Upper Estuary Conditions: The 30-day average salinity at the Fort Myers Yacht Basin was 13 psu, above the optimal level for tape grass. Lower Estuary Conditions: The weekly average salinity at the Shell Point RECON was 32 psu, above the optimal range for oysters. J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR:

Monitor Site Salinity Diss O2 (mg/L) FDOM (qsde) Chlorophyll (µg/L

McIntyre Creek 34.6 – 35.6 2.8 – 11.7 4.7 – 12.8 ----------

Tarpon Bay 34.6 – 35.3 4.9 – 8.9 5.2 - 10.3 2.6 – 41.1

Red Tide: On 5/1/20 FWC reported red tide, Karenia brevis, at background concentrations in Manatee and Lee Counties: Click here for the FWC status of red tide Wildlife Impacts: The past week CROW, the wildlife hospital on Sanibel, received 3 patients for red tide symptoms: 2 brown pelicans (1 died & 1 still recovering at CROW) and 1 mottled duck (died).

Caloosahatchee Stations

Chlorophyll (µg/L)

fDOM (qse)

Turbidity (NTU)

25% Iz depth (meters)

Target Values < 11 CE <70

SCB <11 CE < 18 SCB < 5

CE = 1 m SCB = 2.2m

Fort Myers 5.3 177 1.8 0.88

Shell Point 1.5 26.9 1.7 2.21

Causeway 3.2 8.5 1.2 3.04

SCCF Surface Salinity at Fort Myers Yacht Basin

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Salin

ity (

psu

)

Salinity

30dMFL

1dMFL

30dMA

Caloosahatchee Estuary Page 3 of 3

Water clarity along the Sanibel bridge causeway has improved for seagrass to >2.2 meters deep. Photo

5/4/20, SCCF