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Highlands Today

Water Level Campaign Builds Steam

Courtesy Image/Highlands Today

The Lake Istokpoga bathymetry map shows the lake level of 38-feet above sea level. The darker blue are the deepest areas.

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By DAVE DOUGLASS

Published: October 1, 2007

We enter into a very tough part of the lunar phase — the waning of the full moon — so fishing will be poor. Now combine the lovely clear sunny blue skies, high pressure weather systems, and little or no wind, and you have the recipe for a fish dinner without the fish. If there is a so-called "Bite" on the lake, it might be from safelight to 9 a.m., but only if you happen to be exactly where oxygen is plentiful. If you present the bait any way other than placing it at just the right speed, and action so they don't have to chase it far, you'll miss the strike altogether. I bid you, "Good Luck" until the weather changes with the next low pressure system.

Fishing Report

Last spring, your efforts along with S.O.S. Florida Lakes and Friends of Istokpoga, played a successful part in maintaining the low level of 36.5-foot judgment by the US Army Corp of Engineers, as the low-level deviation approval for SFWM's requests. They did request 34.5 and 35.5 feet and pressed for the second of the two as their preferred plan. The public battled back and gained one foot of depth. Now just because rain occurred and this battle was not pressed any further, doesn't mean the matter is settled. That was the first round and the second round is about to start.

Now is the time to start preparations designed to speed up plans already on the table, which will handle future droughts. However today, we must start to campaign for maintaining the 36.5-foot low level as the lowest level possible. There is no possibility of a lower level being accepted by the citizens of Highlands County. If the state agencies wanted a reservoir, they should have informed every person who had thoughts of building a home on the lake of the water not being the property of Highlands County, but the property of the state. And this should have occurred before the homes were built, not after. Also, what value is your lakefront home if the lake water is not a constant? It was a constant variable when you paid to acquire ownership, right. How valuable is your home now that you know the water will be taken each time there is a drought? Should I mention global warming and the predicted frequency of drought for Florida –– I think I already did.

If every homeowner would stand united on these facts, it will make "the difference."
The USACE and US Fish & Wildlife support the low-level of 36.5-feet as the lowest acceptable level before extensive damage is done to lake habitat and lake users investments. There are reasons to take heart and prepare to fight. Fighting for your investment on this front requires that you plan a strategy for success now. The place to start is to contact your state government as one people –– the citizens of Highlands County.

Put a personal face and name on your investment and send it to the head quarters of the USACE and our senators and governor. Join non-profit organizations such as S.O.S. Florida Lakes Inc and Friends of Istokpoga Inc.

Other News

S.O.S. Florida Lakes, Inc is having their next open public meeting on October 11 at 7 p.m. at the Lorida Civic Center in Lorida. The subjects are "Hydrilla Lake Management", and "Istokpoga Levels." Guest speakers addressing Hydrilla issues are Vicki Ponius and Carl Smith from Highlands County and representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. I will be addressing the subject of lake levels. I hope to see you there.

Let's work together to create lake management at it's finest. Visit their Website for more information at www.sos-floridalakes.org or www.istokpoga.info

Remember to check your boat when loading after using a lake with Hydrilla. Let's make sure not to carry it to other lakes. A little prevention by all of us costs us less money in a long run.

Tournament News
Wednesday Morning Black Bass Fishing Tournament is open to the public and the next event is Wednesday on Lake Francis. The event is from 7 a.m. to noon. Pay at ramp entry fee is $30 per boat and one person may fish alone if you do not have a partner.

For information, contact Paul Tardiff at 385-8007, 446-1310, e-mail at bassbutchie60@aol.com or contact Dwight Ameling at (863) 471-3305.

Dave Douglass is a Bass fishing guide and teacher, Bass tournament fisherman and also an officer of S.O.S.-Florida Lakes, Inc. You can reach him at (863) 381-8474, e-mail davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the Web sites reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org/.

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