Reprinted for your convenience and information from www.tcpalm.com, Aug. 26, 2008.
Gates Are Open at St. Lucie Locks
Water control structure draining stormwater runoff from western Martin County
By Ed Killer (Contact)
Originally published 11:16 a.m., August 26, 2008
Updated 11:49 a.m., August 26, 2008
TROPICAL FARMS — As she looked at the river from her home, Carolyn Kohn of Palm City was surprised to see what appeared to be icebergs floating down the South Fork of the St. Lucie River Tuesday morning. She was amused to see a solo rower working his way between the icebergs.
The "icebergs" were actually really large chunks of foam churned up because the flood gates at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam were opened Tuesday to drain stormwater runoff from the lands of western Martin County. At 9 a.m., all seven gates were opened to two feet letting water release from the bottom. The high level also enables water to spill over the top of the gates.
So far, no water is being released from Lake Okeechobee through the St. Lucie Canal, according to Army Corps of Engineers' chief of water management John Zediak.
"We've actually had it open on and off since last Wednesday," Zediak said. "We try to maintain the level of the canal upstream of the S-80 structure at 14.5 feet (above sea level) during rainy season."
As of Monday, the headwaters at the S-80 structure - also known as the St. Lucie Locks - measured 14.87 feet.
Zediak said gate operators manage the gate openings based on tidal flows of the St. Lucie River. During incoming tide, they close the gates to reduce the flow.
In addition to the St. Lucie Lock and Dam, the Corps is managing the Ortona Lock and Dam and the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam to "promote drainage of local basin runoff."
Boaters in the lower St. Lucie River have seen effects of Fay's heavy rainfall in the water quality as runoff from C-23, C-24 and Ten Mile Creek has combined to create dark brown water offshore of the St. Lucie Inlet and along area beaches.
