Panasoffkee: Water levels rising

Sumter County Times - October 4, 2001
By BRENDA LOCKLEAR

While it’s too early to celebrate and the focus is still on caution, the fishing’s good and water levels are up.

Southwest Florida Water Management’s Michael Molligan notes the aquifer levels have reached the low normal range and has been at that level for the past two weeks.

The normal range has a span of four feet from high normal to low normal. Currently, the aquifer is at plus 0.34 above the lowest mark on the normal level – the level would need to increase another foot and a half to be at mid-level normal.

Molligan pointed out that it’s time to be semi-cautious, because even with the increased water levels, “We’re entering the dry season,” he said.

The increase is due to above average rainfalls this year, totaling a district-wide average of 49.04 inches. The normal average rainfall is 45.77 inches.

September rainfall for this district is nearly double the historic average which is 6.38 inches. Totals for this past month averaged 11.39 inches.

Molligan noted that the name of the Withlacoochee River was Native American and means “Little Big,” adding that there’s currently flooding in some areas.

According to some local businesses, the increased water levels are bringing back anglers from around the state. Pana-Vista’s Jim Veal, Sr. said the fishing is drawing residents from Tampa, St. Petersburg and this year, from Marion County.

“It’s like someone opened up a big door and everybody wanted to come fishing at the same time. We’ve had a very busy year. And the fishing’s good,” he said, adding that so far brim, shellcracker and bass were up for angling.

He notes that with the coming of fall, speckled perch or “crappie” fishing will pick up.

As for the anglers from Marion County, he said it’s interesting, noting that Ocala residents have typically headed for either salt water fishing or rivers in other areas.

While local business owners and residents watch the water levels increase from rainfall, they’re also paying attention to technological efforts, including dredging of the lake.

The long-term Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Project continues, now in its third year. A project with total estimated costs at $26 million dollars, the effort now heads into its third phase.

Pat Galvin, who owns Catfish Johnny’s with her husband, notes that the while they haven’t seen an increase in business yet, higher water levels should benefit all the local businesses, as anglers come to the area.