thumbnail

The hydrology of Lake Rousseau, west-central Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 77-126
By:

Links

Abstract

Lake Rousseau, about 4 miles southwest of Inglis, Florida, was formed in 1909 by impoundment of the Withlacooche River by Inglis Dam, west of Dunnellon, Florida. The lake was to have been part of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal; a lock and channel associated with the presently inactive project were completed in 1969. Lake Rousseau is about 11 miles long, covers about 4,000 acres, and contains about 34,000 acre-feet of water at the normal pool elevation of 27.5 feet above mean sea level. Inflow to the lake is relatively constant and responds slowly to rainfall. The estimated 100-year peak inflow, 10,400 cubic feet per second, is only 19 percent higher than the 100-year high monthly inflow. Water in Lake Rousseau is a calcium-bicarbonate type and is hard. Mean total phosphorus and organic nitrogen concentrations are considerably lower in Lake Rousseau than in north-central Florida lakes which have been considered to be eutrophic by other investigators, however, the lake supports of prolific aquatic plant community. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations near the water surface are occasionally less than 3 mg/liter. (Woodard-USGS)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The hydrology of Lake Rousseau, west-central Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 77-126
DOI 10.3133/wri77126
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 1 Plate: 38.20 x 27.10 inches
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Lake Rousseau
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details