Jun 11, 2009 10:15 am US/Eastern
Watering Restrictions To Ease For S. Dade, Keys
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
My what a difference a month full of rain makes to the residents of southern Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.
Last month, the South Florida Water Management District put the area south of Southwest 216th Street and all of Monroe County on a one day a week watering restriction. At the time, water managers said the district had experienced the second worst drought on record and the new measure was necessary to protect the fresh water aquifers from salt water intrusion.
Then came the soggy month of May which set new monthly rain records. According to
CBS4 news partners
The Miami Herald, South Florida received more than twice its normal rainfall amount and the upper Kissimmee River basin, which feeds Lake Okeechobee, received more than four times its usual amount.
South Florida has received so much rain, that during a formal meeting on Thursday water managers are expected to return south Miami-Dade and the Keys to the normal two day a week watering schedule.
Water managers thanks to last months rain the lake level at Lake Okeechobee 11.71, just a bit below where they would like it to be at this time of year. Farmers who draw from the lake are asked to remain on a 45 percent cutback until the lake's level reaches 12 feet. With all the runoff flowing down into it from the Kissimmee River basin, it could reach that level in just a few weeks.
(© MMIX CBS Television Stations. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)
Double Homicide In NW Miami-Dade
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
