Water managers reduce flow out of Lake Griffin

In an effort to reduce the effects of the ongoing drought on Lake Griffin and the rest of the Harris Chain of Lakes, regional water managers announced this weekthat they have reduced the flow of water through the Moss Bluff Lock and Dam in Marion County.

This follows a similar move last month at the Apopka-Beauclair Canal when officials with the St. Johns River Water Management District closed a dam to stop water from flowing out of Lake Apopka.

These two temporary actions will hold water back in all the lakes of the Harris chain during the dry season and improve water quality, according to St. Johns officials. Levels in lakes Apopka, Beauclair, Dora, Eustis and Harris have increased 3/4 of an inch, officials said.

Water naturally flows north from Lake Apopka through the Apopka-Beauclair Canal and into the Harris chain. Lake Griffin is the last lake in the chain and eventually the water continues flowing north into the Ocklawaha River.