Draught uncovers treasures in Okeechobee

When I first heard of this - one of those news 15 second or less spots "Treasures found in lake Okeechobee" - I thought maybe they had found a hat I lost a few years ago - blew off when I got caught on the lake during a sudden thunder storm. Was a great hat, with a bass jumping out of the water on it and the insignias of all the army units I had been assigned to or taken training under. Miss that hat. But, it wasn't.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19046682

Instead, it is just about some old artifacts and such. Maybe I ought to ask if they found my hat?

Thing is there is more reason than the draught for Lake Okeechobee being so low - it is as much about Florida Water Management (FWM - a dirty name down here, normally starting with an expletive when used by a local). Two years ago, after hurricane Wilma, the lake was at 16 feet. Last year it was at 13 feet. Now granted the lake is a primary source of freshwater (gah! makes me happy I got my own well) for the region, but FWM dumped another 3-5 feet of the Lake's water into the ocean. Their reasoning was to bring the waters down to the proper level for both safety (next hurricane) and to help make the lake healthy again.

And, now we are at 1932 levels (that's before the entire earthen levees surrounding it were in place - there were some levees inplace before, but they were ineffective against hurricanes. see 1926 & 1928) of below 9 feet. A friend and I took a trip around the lake (it is the 4th largest natural lake in the US) a few weeks a go - he grew up here - to see how bad it was. Amazing seeing areas one once fished now devoid of water with grass growing on it - that you can actually walk where you once fished is unsettling. Sultan Sea flashed before my eyes.

For me, I am glad they have discovered all those artifacts. I just wish we had our lake back .... oh, and my hat.

My uncle took me there once. It was nice. Florida is an ok place but it doesnt really compare to some other states I can think although intrestingly enough my uncle is a vet to. There must be something in the water.

So the FWM is actually dumping freshwater into the ocean? Sheesh.

Gotta love gov't bureaucracies. :rolleyes:

CR