12-4-17, ca. 2:45 pm, photos: Ed Lippisch & Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
The Army Corp of Engineers has lessened but not stopped Lake O discharges that started September 20th, 2017 just prior to Hurricane Irma. Perhaps as the discharges have gone on at such a high rate for a comparatively long time, the plume has had a chance to extend its territory. In yesterday’s photos, the dark, filthy plume is reaching clearly south beyond the exclusive Town of Jupiter Island.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, but the river and ocean waters of our entire region were ugly, possibly contaminated. How are we to enjoy our property and lives here?
When viewing the aerials below, please note the blue, sapphire-colored water just on the edge of the discharge plume. Yes, of course all estuaries put forth darkened fresh water after a rain event, and Ed and I could see this occurring just south at Jupiter Inlet. Nonetheless, the black, gigantic plume that we repeatedly endure for the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon due to discharges from Lake Okeechobee is an aberration.
Please let’s all support Joe Negron and the public’s work to build the EAA Reservoir; clean & send the water south!
Lake O discharges: http://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/reports.htmLooking south along the southern most area of Jupiter Island.Looking north along Jupiter Island-dark ocean waters. Jupiter Narrows an extension of the IRL on left.Plume -looking north along Atlantic coastEdge of plume; note clean sapphire colored water juxtaposed to dark Lake O/canal plumeAnother angle, Jupiter Island, looking south-blur due to wind and camera movementBack at St Lucie InletIRL, note bare bottom. This area is known as the Sailfish Flats and once had hundreds of acres of seagrass beds.The Sandbar, a popular weekend recreational area for boaters, especially families, surrounded in dark Lake O discharge waters. This is a health issue.Barren Sailfish FlatsSand bottom with no seagrass between Sewall’s Point and Sailfish Point. An area once teaming with life.The Crossroads — no seagrass beds just sand bottomIRL looking northSt Lucie River near St Lucie Inlet dark as coffeeNorth of St Lucie Inlet the plume covers near shore protected reefs as it does south of the inlet.Blue!The plume as viewed from under the wing of the CubPlume edge: The tainted water we are given by our government; the blue –the water we should have by God & Nature.
