Lee County renews $318K water monitoring agreement

Lee County commissioners approved a $317,850 agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to continue monitoring water resources and flood conditions across the county. The program collects water-level and groundwater data at 12 rivers, streams and watersheds, providing information for flood and storm response, water-quality requirements and computer modeling. Lee County will contribute $204,894, including $65,000 from a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant, while USGS will provide $112,956. The county has worked with USGS on the program since 1973. Monitoring locations include Six Mile Cypress Creek, Imperial River, Ten Mile Canal, Whiskey Creek and the Estero River branches. The new annual agreement begins Oct. 1.