August 2008 Kissimmee River Updates
Photographs by Brent Anderson
The Effects of Tropical Storm Fay
Phase I Floodplain
August 27, 2008
Rain continues to fall in late August. Looking west along the east floodplain of Phase I.
Phase I Floodplain
August 27, 2008
Shorebirds use the available substrate in the 6-feet-deep floodplain waters. This particular location is typically dry land under ‘normal’ conditions.
Phase I Floodplain
August 27, 2008
Tree frogs, spiders and insects take refuge on the available substrate in the inundated floodplain.
Phase I Floodplain
August 27, 2008
Hydrology monitoring stations and navigation signs are almost completely submerged.
July 31, 2008
Wading bird foraging flocks are extremely low due to deep water conditions on the floodplain. Mainly cattle egrets are encountered on the floodplain. As the floodwaters recede, it is expected that wading bird foraging flocks will
return to the floodplain.
August 27, 2008
Phase I Floodplain
July 31, 2008Phase I Backfill and Floodplain. River channels are undistinguishable.
September 3, 2008
Phase I Backfill and Floodplain
July 31, 2008Looking north along the Phase I backfill.
September 3, 2008
Phase I Backfill
August 27, 2008
Phase I Floodplain
Phase I Floodplain
July 31, 2008
Looking north along the next section of canal to be backfilled in Pool B. Construction is scheduled to begin Fall 2008.
July 31, 2008Upper Phase I river channel looking north towards hydro station PC62.
September 3, 2008
Phase I River Channel
July 31, 2008Tree removal at flow station PC62.
September 3, 2008
Phase I River Channel
River channels in lower Pool B can hardly be distinguished as water levels rise from Tropical Storm Fay floodwaters.
Phase IVA Restored River Channel and Floodplain
September 3, 2008
Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Fay extend to the Oak-line in Phase IVA floodplain
September 3, 2008
Phase IVA Restored Floodplain
Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Fay extend to the Oak-line in Phase IVA floodplain. (A closer look from the ground)
August 27, 2008
Phase IVA Restored Floodplain
August 27, 2008
Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Fay extend into the oak-line in Phase IVA.
Phase IVA Floodplain
September 3, 2008
Phase IVB backfill was initiated in August. The contractors began mobilizing heavy equipment.
Phase IVB Restoration and Canal Backfill
September 3, 2008
Phase IVA Floodplain
September 3, 2008
Water extends to the oak-line in the upper reaches of Phase IVA west floodplain on Avon Park Bombing Range lands.
Upper Pool B
September 3, 2008
Looking south along the western portion of The Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve that is totally inundated.
July 31, 2008A powerboat fights the current in the upper reaches of the Phase IVA backfill.
September 3, 2008
Phase IVA River Channel
July 31, 2008High flows leave the S65C structure.
September 3, 2008
Phase II/III Canal
March 2008August 2008