To provide flood protection to lakefront properties, the Southwest Florida Water Management District Tuesday will begin releasing water through flood control structure S-353 on the Hernando Pool of the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes.
S-353 releases water into an outfall canal that discharges into the Withlacoochee River near Holder. The operation of the structure is guided by a legal agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that requires water to be released when levels reach 39 feet in the Hernando Pool. As of Monday morning, the levels were at 39.45.
Discharges from the structure have been complicated by a subdivision developed in the floodplain on the Withlacoochee River. The Arrowhead subdivision regularly floods from the Withlacoochee River. In the past, some Arrowhead residents have complained that releases from the lakes compounded existing flooding problems.
The District has been maintaining water levels in the lakes by easing water through the Van Ness structure, which is to the west of S-353 and discharges into Two-Mile Prairie. With the compounded effects of rainfall from three hurricanes, the smaller Van Ness structure is no longer able to keep the lake at the appropriate level.
Hurricane Jeanne dropped more than seven inches of rainfall at some sites around the Tsala Apopka Lakes. Since August 1, rainfall sites in the region have recorded between 21 to 27 inches. The historical average for that time period is about 14.3 inches.
(More, see page two)
Flood Protection
Page Two
September 27, 2004
“We’ve done everything we could to avoid releasing water through structure S-353,” said District Structure Controls Supervisor Gene Farley. “We made it through two hurricanes without having to use it. However, after our third hurricane, we’ve reached the point now where we have to operate S-353 to meet our legal responsibilities to protect lakefront property owners.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed with the District’s plan. The Citrus County Emergency Operations Center was also notified regarding the planned discharge.
Timing is critical. On Monday, the Hernando Pool was more than three feet higher than the river. As the river continues to rise, discharging from the lakes will become more difficult.
The District will limit releases to quantities necessary to maintain the lake at the approved level.