Why does Lake O rise so dramatically after a big rain?
a. Big rains fall on it twice: once (and immediately) as direct rainfall and again in the days and weeks ahead in the form of inflows, primarily the Kissimmee River, from the north. Call it a two for one sale.
 |
| Just like that, the littoral zone wetlands are full. Remember last summer when they were completely dry? |
Or could it be:
b. It’s perimeter levee doesn’t let the water spread out, as it did in the days of unfettered sheetflow, into the Sawgrass Plain to the south.
c. Last I checked, the regulatory release gates (via the Caloosahatchee or St Lucie) were largely closed.
d. Evaporation from the Lake no longer exists.
Answer:
e. All of the above (except d.)
