Water Management Under Severe Storm Conditions

in Central and South Florida

Chandra S. Pathak, Ph.D., P.E.

Water Management Under Severe Storm Conditions

in Central and South Florida

Chandra S. Pathak, Ph.D., P.E.

Severe Storm Prediction and Global Climate Impact in the Gulf Coast Conference

October 29 to 31, 2008

•• Covers 18,000 square milesCovers 18,000 square miles

•• Population more than 7 millionPopulation more than 7 million

•• FY 2008 Budget $1.3 BillionFY 2008 Budget $1.3 Billion

•• Oversees water resources in the southern Oversees water resources in the southern half of the statehalf of the state

•• Oldest and largest of FloridaOldest and largest of Florida’’s five water s five water management districtsmanagement districts

•• Established by the legislatureEstablished by the legislature

The South Florida Water The South Florida Water Management DistrictManagement District

The SFWMD’s mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply. A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.

The South Florida Water The South Florida Water Management DistrictManagement District

Who we are and what we do:Who we are and what we do:

Topography

Topographic and Hydraulic GradientTopographic and Hydraulic Gradient

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Lake Kissimmee

Lake Okeechobee

EAAWCA 3

ENPSTAs

Lake Tohopekaliga

FL Bay

WCA 1

WCA 2

The Upper Kissimmee

Chain of Lakes form

the headwaters of the Kissimmee-

Okeechobee- Everglades watershed

The Upper Kissimmee

Chain of Lakes form

the headwaters of the Kissimmee-

Okeechobee- Everglades watershed

HistoricHistoricFlowFlow

CurrentCurrentFlowFlow

Water Resource Modifications

HistorySettlement in south Florida increased in the late 1800’s

Navigation ImprovementsEverglades Drainage District

Initial drainage works improved development opportunitiesSevere floods & droughts persisted

Settlement in south Florida increased in the late 1800’s

Navigation ImprovementsEverglades Drainage District

Initial drainage works improved development opportunitiesSevere floods & droughts persisted

Water Resources Purpose

Flood ControlWater Supply

AgricultureUrbanEverglades National ParkSaltwater Intrusion

NavigationProtection of “fish and wildlife”

Flood ControlWater Supply

AgricultureUrbanEverglades National ParkSaltwater Intrusion

NavigationProtection of “fish and wildlife”

“Central and Southern Florida Project for Flood Control and Other Purposes”

Initially authorized in 1948Constructed between 1950’s

and 1970’sOperated in accordance with USACE criteria

USACESFWMD

Central and South Florida Project

Major C&SF Project

ComponentsRiver ChannelizationHerbert Hoover DikeWater Conservation AreasProtective Levees

Everglades Agricultural AreaLower East Coast

Drainage NetworkSalinity Structures

River ChannelizationHerbert Hoover DikeWater Conservation AreasProtective Levees

Everglades Agricultural AreaLower East Coast

Drainage NetworkSalinity Structures

Water Management System Components

Water Management System Components

~1,900 miles of canals and levees160 major drainage basins550+ major structures

200+ remotely operated300+ manually operated or fixed structures

About 50 pump stationsAlmost ½ with remote operation capability

~1,900 miles of canals and levees160 major drainage basins550+ major structures

200+ remotely operated300+ manually operated or fixed structures

About 50 pump stationsAlmost ½ with remote operation capability

Hydrologic Monitoring NetworkHydrologic Monitoring Network

Rainfall 279 active rain gaugesNEXRAD Radar rainfall

Weather Stations 41 full and partial stations

Surface Water Level 1195 active gauges

Surface Water Flow 420 active flow sites

Groundwater 975 active wells

Water ManagementWater ManagementThe water management system is operated by SFWMD, USACE and in cooperation between themUSACE regulates Lake Okeechobee water level in consultation with the SFWMDUSACE operates inflow and outflow structures on the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie RiversUSACE operates outflows from WCA 1, WCA 2 and WCA 3SFWMD operates the rest of the system

The water management system is operated by SFWMD, USACE and in cooperation between themUSACE regulates Lake Okeechobee water level in consultation with the SFWMDUSACE operates inflow and outflow structures on the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie RiversUSACE operates outflows from WCA 1, WCA 2 and WCA 3SFWMD operates the rest of the system

Water Management Decision MakingWater Management Decision Making

Environmental Advisory Team Weekly Meeting

District Operation of Water Control StructuresContinuous monitoring and decision making using water control manual

Automated and remote controlled sitesAutomated sitesManually operated sites

Environmental Advisory Team Weekly Meeting

District Operation of Water Control StructuresContinuous monitoring and decision making using water control manual

Automated and remote controlled sitesAutomated sitesManually operated sites

Drainage ResponsibilitiesDrainage Responsibilities

Primary System Operations

- Drainage & Flood Control - Water Supply

Typical Coastal Canal Operations: Drainage

Runoff conveyed away from developed areas mitigate flood impactsStructure operations coordinated from District headquarters

Most critical structures remotely automatedManual operations coordinated with local field stations

Canal / Groundwater Interaction

Normal Dry Season Operations

Canal stages held high to facilitate groundwater recharge and assist supplemental irrigation

Canal stages held high to facilitate groundwater recharge and assist supplemental irrigation

Low groundwater levels due to low, dry season rainfall

Low groundwater levels due to low, dry season rainfall

Groundwater

Canals serve two primary purposes….

1. Flood Control2. Water Supply

Canals serve two primary purposes….

1. Flood Control2. Water Supply

Canal / Groundwater Interaction

Normal Wet Season Operations

Canal stages low to facilitate surface drainage of urban & ag lands

Canal stages low to facilitate surface drainage of urban & ag lands

Long-term low canal stages depress

regional groundwater levels

Long-term low canal stages depress

regional groundwater levels

Groundwater

Canal / Groundwater Interaction

Pre-Storm Drawdown Operations

Canal stages lowered an additional ~1 foot to increase surface drainage of urban & ag lands prior forecasts storms

Canal stages lowered an additional ~1 foot to increase surface drainage of urban & ag lands prior forecasts storms

Short-term lowering of canal stages does not significantly decrease regional groundwater levels

Short-term lowering of canal stages does not significantly decrease regional groundwater levels

Groundwater

The 2005 Hurricane Season in South Florida

The 2005 Hurricane Season in South Florida

Hurricane Dennis (July 8-10, 2005)

Hurricane Katrina (August 24-27, 2005)

Hurricane Rita (September 19-21, 2005)

Hurricane Wilma (October 22-25, 2005)

Hurricane Dennis (July 8-10, 2005)

Hurricane Katrina (August 24-27, 2005)

Hurricane Rita (September 19-21, 2005)

Hurricane Wilma (October 22-25, 2005)

Hurricane Wilma (October 22-25, 2005)

Hurricane Wilma (October 22-25, 2005)

Hurricane Wilma – October 2005

Rainfall from Hurricane WilmaRainfall from Hurricane Wilma

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Hour of the day (October 24, 2005)

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15-minute average wind speed15-minute maximum wind gust

Wind Speed at Belle Glade Weather Station

Wind Speed at Belle Glade Weather Station

S133

S4

S135

S352S131

10/24 9:00 AM 110 mph NE ~25 mph

10/24 11:00 AM 105 mph NE ~25 mph

Lake Okeechobee Water Level Fluctuation during Hurricane Wilma

Lake Okeechobee Water Level Fluctuation during Hurricane Wilma

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Damage to Herbert Hoover Levee at Lake Okeechobee

Damage to Herbert Hoover Levee at Lake Okeechobee

Vegetation and Water Quality ImpactsVegetation and Water Quality Impacts

Tropical Strom Fay (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay Rainfall (August 17-20, 2008)

Tropical Strom Fay Rainfall (August 17-20, 2008)

back

back

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Estimation of problem areas from phone calls received or observation by Fld Staff.

back

Questions?

Basic Lake Operations….Basic Lake Operations….

Conceptual ProfileConceptual ProfileConceptual Profile

Regulation SchedulesRegulation Schedules

Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

Operations

Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

Operations6 major lake pools6 major lake pools

Kissimmee, Hatchineha Kissimmee, Hatchineha & Cypress& Cypress

TohoTohoEast TohoEast TohoHart & Mary JaneHart & Mary JaneMyrtle, etc.Myrtle, etc.Alligator, etc.Alligator, etc.

7 major water control 7 major water control structuresstructures

Lake CypressLake Cypress

S-59S-59

S-61S-61

S-60S-60

S-58S-58

S-60S-60

S-63S-63

S-63AS-63A

S-65S-65

S-62S-62

L. GentryL. Gentry

S-65S-65

Lake HatchinehaLake Hatchineha

Lake KissimmeeLake Kissimmee

S-61S-61

Lake TohoLake Toho S-59S-59

S-62S-62

East Lake TohoEast Lake Toho

L. Hart / Mary JaneL. Hart / Mary JaneS-60S-60

S-58S-58

S-60S-60

L. AlligatorL. Alligator

What is a Regulation Schedule?What is a Regulation Schedule?

Tool for managing/regulating water levels in a reservoir/lakeTriggers regulatory discharges (aka flood control discharges)Does not trigger water supply deliveriesDesigned to balance multiple & competing objectives

Tool for managing/regulating water levels in Tool for managing/regulating water levels in a reservoir/lakea reservoir/lakeTriggers regulatory discharges (aka flood Triggers regulatory discharges (aka flood control discharges)control discharges)Does not trigger water supply deliveriesDoes not trigger water supply deliveriesDesigned to balance multiple & competing Designed to balance multiple & competing objectivesobjectives

Regulation SchedulesRegulation Schedules

Represents Represents seasonal & monthly seasonal & monthly storage limitsstorage limits

Considers varying Considers varying & often conflicting & often conflicting purposespurposes

Flood Control: Designed Flood Control: Designed for no damages up to 30% for no damages up to 30% SPF (~1 in 10 yr.)SPF (~1 in 10 yr.)

Water Supply: Runoff in Water Supply: Runoff in wet season is stored for wet season is stored for use in dry seasonuse in dry season

Typical AnnualTypical AnnualScheduleSchedule

1 year1 year

Flood Control Ops: DischargeFlood Control Ops: Discharge

Normal Ops: No DischargeNormal Ops: No Discharge

Pre-Hurricane Season Low StagePrePre--Hurricane Hurricane Season Low StageSeason Low Stage

Summer Pool StageSummer Pool StageSummer Pool Stage

Transition to Peakof the Hurricane SeasonTransition to PeakTransition to Peakof the Hurricane Seasonof the Hurricane Season

Winter WaterSupply Pool StageWinter WaterWinter WaterSupply Pool StageSupply Pool Stage

Transition toLow StageTransition toTransition toLow StageLow Stage

Lake Okeechobee covers over 730 square miles, with a contributing basin of over 5,000 square miles

Water levels driven largely by climatic conditions

Lake Okeechobee covers over 730 square miles, with a contributing basin of over 5,000 square miles

Water levels driven largely by climatic conditions

Lake OkeechobeeLake Okeechobee

Herbert Hoover Levee IssuesHerbert Hoover Levee Issues

The levee protects communities surrounding the lake from storm surge flooding

High stages place tremendous pressure on the levee which could effect stability

The levee protects communities surrounding the lake from storm surge flooding

High stages place tremendous pressure on the levee which could effect stability

Levee Schematic

Hydrostatic Pressure

Underlying Limestone

Lake OkeechobeeHerbert Hoover Levee

Typical Seepage

Site

Herbert Hoover Dike (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Herbert Hoover Dike (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

S-308S-308

S-3 & S-354S-3 & S-354

Lake Okeechobee Major Water Control Structures

Lake Okeechobee Major Water Control Structures

S-77S-77

S-352S-352

S-2 & S-351S-2 & S-351

LakeOkeechobee

Lake Releaseat S-77

Lake Releaseat S-308

C-43 Basin RunoffC-44 Basin Runoff

Typical Lake Okeechobee & Estuary Flows

During Wet Periods

S79 Discharge toCaloosahatchee

Estuary

Lake Inflows

S80 Discharge toSt. Lucie Estuary

EAA Runoff

Lake Release through EAA to

WCAs (via STAs) &/or to tide

Lake Okeechobee Design Discharge Capacities

Inflows to the lake frequently exceed total outflow capacity

Outflow capacity to the St. Lucie & Caloosahatchee far exceeds outflow capacity to the Water Conservation Areas

Lake Okeechobee Structure Capacity

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Lake Okeechobee Outflow Capacity

South14%

East & West86%

C&SF Project Strengths & Weaknesses

Provides significant benefits to developed areas

Flood controlWater supply

Unintended ecological impacts associated with C&SF construction and operation

Provides significant benefits to developed areas

Flood controlWater supply

Unintended ecological impacts associated with C&SF construction and operation

South Florida Water Resource Management Challenges

Florida’s climate is one of “extremes”System stressed by population & land useBALANCE

Multiple water resource objectivesObjectives often conflict

Florida’s climate is one of “extremes”System stressed by population & land useBALANCE

Multiple water resource objectivesObjectives often conflict

Approximate Primary SystemWater Level Management Ranges (values

in feet, NGVD)Note: Map ranges consider seasonal operating variation & generally represent a system of canals &/or storage areas. Map values are primarily intended to show the relative spatial variability of operating stages.

Upper KissimmeeChain of Lakes

49’-64’

Kissimmee River 21’-46.3’

Lake 13.5’-17’Okeechobee

Caloosahatchee River 3.0’

St. Lucie River 14.5’

EAA 10.5’-11.5’

SDCS Canals2’-6’

PB Co.Canals7’-8.3’

Brow Co. Can3’-6’

Dade Co.Coastal Canals1’-2’

WCA-115.7’-17.5’

WCA-2A11’-13’

WCA-3A8.8’-10.7

UEC Canals18.4’-23.2’

Lake Istokpoga 37’-39.5’

Indian Prairie CanalsNorth Basin 24.3’-26.2’South Basin 19.8’-21.2’