3A-3B closed ?

[Scotty1]

At this rate of discharge and with out any rain it will take 95 days to get down to regulation elevation. which is totally BULL SH-T in my opinion something has to happen.

[John Fenner]

From my understanding it is the deer headcount on the levees that determines the areas closing regulation.

[lilly-Pad]

does anybody have water update on 3A and 3B? I have a buddy who has gator tags for next week but looks like might have to use the jon boat I have never riden the open area east of Miami canal what ramps can I use to get in there? Looks like the area might stay closed thru gator season.

[glades cat]

Here is the latest SOFIA water level report.
https://sofia.usgs.gov/eden/water_level ... &type=gage
https://sofia.usgs.gov/eden/stationlist ... ?area=WCA3

[peanutbutter kid]

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/ ... Deviation/ this is a couple weeks old from sawgrass outlaws fbook but still interesting read....

[glades cat]

...and we're caught between a rock and a hard place in releasing water too quickly into our surrounding salt water estuaries.
I get weekly FWC Red Tide advisories in the Gulf...Caloosahatchee waterway is the dumping route.
East coast out St Lucie waterway....Remember the algae problems and massive fish kill a couple years back.
South through the canals into Florida Bay...they're having their own set of problems.
South East out of Miami canal...Biscayne Bay turtle grass is all covered with growth.

High water is high water. We get it. It happens, so do droughts.
The fault is the closures. Let us in. If there are deer to be rescued, we'll do it. Be the eyes and ears and report critical areas needing attention , we'll do it. Pick up Mylar party balloons and other blown-in debris...heck, we do that now. Bag up thrown garbage at the ramps...yea, we do that too.
What happened to the modus operandi of the old Fish and Game Commission? If Tom Shirley could see this from heaven, he'd be shaking his head in disapproval. Thank God there are no tears in heaven.

Y'all come out to the AAOF fish fry on Saturday September 23 and we'll ride and there, eat some good food, hear a great band and have a great time.

[rudee116]

The closure to airboats is ridiculous. It doesn't even fit their narrative of protecting the deer!!! If the deer are up on the levees, how does it make sense that they will let boats run the canals but not airboats in the marsh? The old rule during high water was fine! Airboats allowed for frogging and gator hunting as long as we stayed away from the islands. WTF made them change that last year??? It's so obvious that they are trying to keep airboats out of there. It's only a matter of time til they keep the water high permanently and lock us out forever.

[Scotty1]

Well the water is just about where it was when they closed and is going down daily. if the rain will hold off would not be surprised if it opened back up in September after the 90 days closure. BUT THAT COULD BE JUST WISHFUL THINKING ((stay away rain))

[Batemaster]

More rain on the way this week unfortunately.

[Scotty1]

Eden 14 rain gauge in the res, has shown a steady decline since around August 13th.

[MYDIXIEWRECKED]

Well the water is just about where it was when they closed and is going down daily. if the rain will hold off would not be surprised if it opened back up in September after the 90 days closure. BUT THAT COULD BE JUST WISHFUL THINKING ((stay away rain))

I was told by the FWC that there is no 90 day rule anymore. If the water drops they will open it. No "set amount of time" for it to be closed.
Some friends went out to remove a memorial for a firefighter that was placed out there years ago over the weekend. From what I saw in the pictures, the water isn't too bad. Hopefully it wont be long till its open. Too bad the state wont give us some of our lease money back that we pay for our camps when they prevent access.

As for the deer, they get on the islands that our camps are on and people have a real hard time following the law. They stop at these camps which run the deer back out into the deep water, stressing them when they don't need the added stress.

Any way you look at it, Water Mismanagement is playing mother nature or God and the Park Service not taking water... NO COMMENT. The federal government shouldn't control our state land. They obviously have no clue. Let the water flow as it was intended by nature. A good flush out here and there is a natural thing. Been happening way longer than we have had control of the flow...

[Gary S]

So now they are building another bridge to not let the water flow under.

[glades cat]

Hey, how about some more water?
Feast or famine.
Drink while the water is flowing.
The dry cycle will come around soon enough.
Patience folks.

[Scotty1]

Well all this extra rain will probably set us back a couple more months ,this really sucks been to camp ones for 3 days in the last 6 months and now maybe another 2 or 3 months. Got to find another place to go maybe Kissimmee

[460 FULLTRACK]

Just got notice that camp owners in Area 3 north and south will be able to access their camps from 1000 am Friday the 29th till Sunday the 1st at 6pm. You will still need to apply for a special use permit and must do it before Thursday the 28th by 5pm to ensure processing. The last possible time is 5pm on Friday to have access on Saturday and Sunday. Don't wait until the last minute or you might not get a permit. I'm sure that FWC will be out checking permits.

[460 FULLTRACK]

Well I just got notice that anyone who hasn't applied for a permit to go to their camps will not get one now. FWC is afraid that with the continued stress on the animals and the fact that many of them are on the high ground the camps are on, there will be too much disturbance. They will honor any permit that has been approved as of today. So if you haven't applied for one, it's too late.

[rudee116]

Anyone know where the water levels are? They extended gator season to 12/1. Wondering how much more water needs to go down before they open back up.

[460 FULLTRACK]

It's still 2.5 feet above regulation. I don't see it opening any time soon.

[Scotty1]

Any body hearing any chatter about opening up. I know it is still 1.36 feet above regulation ,but on the site I check there is something that says FWCC trigger is 11.6 not sure really what that means ,but we are with in .30 feet from it. JUST GETTING RESTLESS,READY TO RIDE

[helicsher]

I heard that they are going to open it back up the week before rain season starts !!!!!!

[Scotty1]

Just spoke with FWC that 11.6 NGVD is the elevation they are looking for before they will open the area up. which we are about 5 3/8 inches away from reaching. they should reach that elev, by middle of December barring no rain then they said they would have to take the animal population into account . So it would probably be around the first of the year. the water is dropping pretty regular now so if we are lucky we might get a couple of months to ride before it will be to dry to run may have to spend most of that time in camp.

[Scotty1]

2 more inches to go, praying for no rain at this time

[lilly-Pad]

Thank U for the update Scotty let's hope it opens soon

[Scotty1]

LILLY PAD it has got to ,been closed for 6 months, they say that there worried about the deer but they did not care enough to lower it any faster so I don't see where they have any excuse any more . the deer have either drowned or starved to death by now.

[BDH]

Any update??