Specifications

Section 5 Formulation of Alternative Plans
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
5-39
intended that the reservoir will be operated in a manner consistent with
restoring and/or sustaining hydrologic conditions in natural areas necessary to
protect fish and wildlife.
5.4.2.1.4.1 Operations under Existing Conditions (Start-up Operations)
It is recognized that the timing and volumes of deliveries from the reservoir to
downstream natural areas could be affected by many existing operational and
structural constraints of the regional water management system. Many
constraints are planned to be reduced and/or eliminated by the time the EAA
Reservoir becomes operational. If the EAA Reservoir is completed prior to the
scheduled completion date presented in this document, it is possible that the
operation of the reservoir will be constrained by some existing operational and
structural constraints. Examples of such potential constraints include
limitations imposed by downstream structure capacities, and special water
management operations tailored toward yielding very specific hydrologic
conditions during specific periods of the year.
Until such time that additional water can be delivered in a manner consistent
with restoring and/or sustaining hydrologic conditions necessary to protect fish
and wildlife, total volumes of water made available by the EAA Reservoir project
for introduction to the Everglades Protection Area are likely to remain near
existing levels. If existing constraints still exist upon completion of construction,
it is intended that the reservoir will be operated in the presence of existing
constraints:
• to receive water from Lake Okeechobee and/or from surrounding
agricultural runoff;
• to deliver water from the reservoir to downstream natural areas via STA-
3/4 during the dry season, only at times of natural system need; and
• to deliver water from the reservoir to meet local agricultural water supply
demands that would otherwise be met via deliveries from the regional
water management system.
In addition to planned releases, it is anticipated that there will be periods during
which releases from the reservoir will be necessary to maintain reservoir stages
at safe/acceptable levels and/or in preparation for storm events.
The benefits quantified below are based on conditions that are consistent with
the preliminary operations characterized above.
5.4.2.1.4.2 Operations under Future Conditions (Future Operations)