At a lake level of 21 feet—a 1-in-100-year flood event—a dike failure would be likely at one or more locations. In the event of a dike failure, waters from Lake Okeechobee would pass through the breach—uncontrollably—and flood adjacent land. Flooding would be severe and warning time would be limited. And with 40,000 people living in the communities protected by the Herbert Hoover Dike, the potential for human suffering and loss of life is significant. Our engineering studies indicate the southern and eastern portions of the dike system are more likely to fail than the northern and western portions of the dike. In general, we would expect a warning time of 24 to 48 hours prior to a dike failure that releases water from the lake; however, under some conditions the warning time might be longer, and under others, a dike failure could occur with no warning.” Belle Glade (population 18,000) on the southeast shore of the lake, is 16’ above sea level, so if Lake Okeechobee is at 21’ above mean sea level and the dike fails, 4 - 5 feet of water could inundate the town.
FYI:
The watershed is NNW from the lake all the way up to Orlando
WPTV News | West Palm Beach Florida
Published on Sep 25, 2017
SUBSCRIBE 46K
A potential crisis is building for communities along Lake Okeechobee. Lake levels are now over 16 feet, officials say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjjeTiasKCI
I have driven around both sides of the lake around 15 to 20 years ago. I was very impressed with those big berms and climbed to the top of several to see the view. I remember that so many houses were WAY below the tops of those berms. On the other hand on some of my trips there were forest fires along I-95, and the water was 7 feet below the “normal” level. I also watched the increase of sugar and other big ag development with concern.
Some years ago, I travelled through Belle Glade when Lake Okeechobee was at flood level. I stopped and climbed up the levee to a public viewing area. The lake surface was whipped up by a northerly wind, generating large waves and piling up dirty foam against the shore. It was an impressive if ugly sight — and it was obvious that Belle Glade would be under water except for the dike. The churning Mississippi at spring flood in New Orleans is a grander sight but less ominous in that the levees there are far more substantial and better defended structures. Belle Glade has cause to worry.