Why does the SFWMD need temporary forward pumps?
It is recognized that the ecology of Lake Okeechobee is improved by maintaining the Lake at lower water levels. The temporary pumps will give the District the flexibility necessary to maintain the lake at lower levels without the risk of compromising water supply needs. When lake elevations are low, below 10.2 feet, natural (gravity) flow is limited. The temporary forward pumps are necessary to force water to flow from Lake Okeechobee down the canals to the water supply users.
