This cache explores the source of the Palatlakaha River, the Clermont Chain of lakes, and how the waters are managed. The river is only 32 miles long and has different characteristics north vs south.
Much of the Palatlakaha River exists as a chain of 13 lakes in the Clermont area. The northern portions are mostly not accessible to the same extent. Where the author lives the river flows through a private development and is very visible to the residents. The author was curious to discover why the river stops flowing and even dry up during prolonged drought. But most of the northern areas are swamps or bordered by private lands.
The topographic map below shows this area, the high points in red and orange, and the swamp to the southwest in shades of green.
The Green Swamp, in its entirety, comprises 560,000 acres located between Tampa and Orlando. The Green Swamp is recognized as one of the two most important swamps in Florida and is an essential piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The swamp is the source of three rivers. The Hillsborough flows southwest toward Tampa. The Withlacoochee flows northwest toward Dunnellon. Big Creek and Little Creek begin in the swamp, flow northeast to Lake Louisa, and this is the beginning of the Palatlakaha River.
Because the water levels are regulated by Lake County Water Authority (LCWA), it is their task to keep the water levels on the lakes shown between acceptable levels. When water flow is plentiful, the dams are adjusted to release water down stream. When water is scarce, the dams are closed to retain water in the lakes. Down stream flow can be greatly reduced or actually fall to zero. If this is prolonged, the very last stretches on the river can go dry.
The map above shows the river path NORTH of the last regulated lake, Lake Emma. The course of the river after it exits Lake Emma goes through man made channels, areas of swamp and natural river channels. Four of the six dams on the river are “passive”, meaning they do not have control gates. Only the dams at Cherry Lake and Villa City have gates that can open and close to regulate the lake levels on the chain. The four passive structures are located near Lake Harris, inside a private development, at Bridges Road, and just south of Monarch Golf Club. The entire river is subject to water level fluctuations driven by rainfall and dam operations. The section below dam M-4 can see the most dramatic effects. The flow and level of the water are a result of the water regulation of the lakes by LCWA.
The graphs of official USGS data for a two year period illustrate the dynamics of FLOW regulation vs LEVEL regulation. One graph shows the LEVEL on the chain near your location, between about 94 to 97 feet above sea level. The second graph shows the resulting FLOW on the river. It varies from 0 to 400 cfs.
Where you are located, Arnold Brothers boat ramp, is on the chain and is also on the river channel. Now it is time to send the required answers in order to claim the cache. Send in a message to the owner, do not post with the cache log.
1) At the fishing pier and observation platform, observe the flow of the river. How many seconds does it take for an object in the stream (like a leaf or twig) to move 10 feet? Two sections of railing on the pier = 10 feet. If it is very long, just say more than 1 minute. [ PS. When flow is 500 CFS, it takes 4 seconds.]
2) Estimate the water level using the fishing pier as a reference point. The top of the posts holding up the deck are at 98.5 ft. (alternative, the crack in the cement boat ramp is at 96.5 ft.)
3) Based on your estimates of both flow and level, is this a HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW, or EXTREMELY LOW water condition? Explain your reasoning.
4) Locate the map board (at the boat ramp) of the local area and the lake system. Find where you are on the map. Using the map and the maps provided in this cache, do you think this part of the river bed ever goes dry? Why or why not?
5) Optional. Post a photo of your GPS or you next to one of the landmarks at the boat ramp where you are.
Credits: Information presented here was gathered from Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) website.
https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/water-authority/water-resources