Withlacoochee Update - Tropical Storm Elsa - 7/5/2021

Just wanted to provide a quick update as Tropical Storm Elsa heads our way.

 

Rainfall:

• Our region has received a large amount of rainfall in recent weeks.
• This rainfall has saturated soils, filled wetlands, and flooded many low-lying areas.
• We could see several more inches of rain this week depending on exactly where TS Elsa goes.

 

River Conditions (from the Green Swamp downstream past Hwy 200):

• Water levels and flows along our region’s rivers have risen sharply in the past few days due to this recent rainfall.
• Along the Withlacoochee, river levels are still several feet below flood stage. Levels and flows are also lower than they were prior to Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the 2004 hurricanes, so the river looks to be in good shape to absorb additional rainfall.
• The Little Withlacoochee River, which forms the border of Sumter and Hernando Counties, is higher than it was prior to Hurricane Irma, suggesting heavy rainfall in that area could cause substantial flooding again.
• The National Weather Service has a webpage (www.weather.gov/serfc/) that provides 5-day river forecasts for several locations along the Withlacoochee River.
• At this time, no flooding is predicted at these locations along the Withlacoochee but keep an eye on this webpage as forecasts can change often.

 

Water Control Structures and Area Lakes:

Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes

• The Tsala Apopka lake structures are being closed today, as lake levels have risen sharply from recent rains.
• The Inverness and Hernando Pools are within 2-3 inches of their target high levels, while the Floral City Pool is still about 6 inches below its target for the year.
• No water will be released from the Tsala Apopka lakes unless additional rainfall pushes them above their target high levels.

 

Wysong and Lake Panasoffkee

• The Wysong structure has continually been lowered in recent days, in response to higher river flows and heavy rainfall upstream.
• Wysong has little to no effect on Lake Panasoffkee right now, due to higher flows along the Withlacoochee diminishing the effect of the structure.
• Lake Panasoffkee continues to rise from increasing inflows (Little Jones Creek and Shady Brook).

 

Inglis Dam and Lake Rousseau

• The Inglis Main Dam is now open, releasing additional water from Lake Rousseau ahead of TS Elsa.
• The Inglis Dam has no control on water levels upstream from Dunnellon.

 

If you live in a flood prone area or adjacent to a water body (river/lake) please take the necessary precautions to protect your family and your property.

 

Best regards,

Mark

 

 

 

Mark Fulkerson, Ph.D., P.E.

Chief Professional Engineer

Water Resources Bureau

Southwest Florida Water Management District

 (352) 796-7211, ext. 4410

(800) 423-1476 (FL only)

(352) 279-4493 (cell)

Mark.Fulkerson@WaterMatters.org

 Withlacoochee River Watershed Initiative