Speaker Presentation
The Rainbow River Conservation (RRC) meeting of April 21st hosted Mark Fulkerson PhD, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Senior Engineer. Mark Fulkerson and his team of fellow engineers at SWFWMD have a very important task at hand during high rainfall events such as hurricanes. 2024 brought three hurricanes to the SWFWMD that stretches from Tampa to Levy County. Hurricane Debby struck on August 5th, Hurricane Helene hit on September 26th and on October 9th Hurricane Milton brought more tons of water into the Withlacoochee River Drainage Basin. That huge drainage system encompasses 1,170 square miles along the 141 miles of the Withlacoochee River. Fulkerson explained that historical rainfall events are probably going to overwhelm the usually capable water control system of 84 total structures. Several Billions of gallons of water will result in flooding as waters move beyond the banks of the Withlacoochee River. Fulkerson explained that a "100 year flood Zone is nothing more than a probability of the occurrence of flooding. The 100 year flood zone is defined as such when 9 to 14 inches of rainfall will occur within a 24 hour time period. The probability stands at 4% but those probabilities will not hold water as tropical climate factors bring one high rainfall event after another, and the aquifer becomes totally saturated. Billions of gallons of collected surface water then have no place to go but over the banks of the Withlaccochee, spreading far and wide even up and over high elevations and ridges where the water could be trapped for months. In the last ninety years there have been three major post hurricane flooding events that caused substantial damage to homeowners’ properties. Those years saw the Withlacoochee River crest twenty feet above normal conditions in some locations. The three "historical flood" years were 1934, 1960 and 2024. Releasing water through the Inglis Dam Gates ensures that Dunnellon has been spared flooding issues related to the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers.
River Clean Up May 17
The Annual RRC Rainbow River Cleanup Event will be held at the Rio Vista Community Boat Ramp and Park on Saturday May 17th, 9 AM to noon time. There will be hot dogs served at noon and various awards presented to the river clean up participants. Bring your kayak, SUP or other watercraft and join in for a cool and worthy event. If you launch from the KP Hole County boat launch, there is no fee if you mention you are participating in the RRC River Clean Up. Please click here for more information about the River Clean Up.