Drought hits Blue Cypress Marsh in Fellsmere

[rick]

By LAMAUR STANCIL
lamaur.stancil@scripps.com
June 16, 2007
FELLSMERE —

The marsh area west of Fellsmere is in need of a refill from Mother Nature.

Dry weather in recent months has left the Blue Cypress Marsh Conservation Area three feet below normal levels, state officials said. The difference isn't simply the length of a large alligator tail; it's the difference between a boat able to roam freely through hundreds of acres of marsh and having your mobility restricted.

"The bass boats can't even get in here now," airboat owner Larry Yates of Fellsmere said.

Airboating at the marsh, which is west of County Road 512 in western Indian River County, is something Jimmy King...

Full Story: http://www1.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_5588304,00.html

 

[SwampMatt]

It's easy to sympathize & understand those complaints about the SJWMD.
It's also easy to blame "management" like some of the quotes in that article.

But that is the highest elevation of the whole river basin - - In a drought, something's gotta give! It is the dry season after all, and they are close to BUT NOT REACHED the record low water levels - LIKE THE REST OF US DOWNSTREAM!

I heard from Danny Brantley that the Kissimmee River BY LAW must maintain a certain stream-flow rate. I'll bet the St. Johns River has a similar rule or law - - The folks downstream are suffering too - but to literally run the river dry just to refill the marsh at the highest point of the hill would mean running the pumps and making reverse flow!!! THAT would be mis-management!!!

Good news about the rains this week down there. Let's hope this is the end of this year's dry season!!!

 

[SwampMatt]

By the way, congrats on 2000 posts/photos/gallery comments.

About time Rick!!!!!