LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/85881
When It Pours It Floods… but It Also Fills the Lakes The Herbert Hoover Dike is considered an at-risk barrier to contain stormwater surge in Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida. Following deadly hurricanes in 1926 and 1928, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers began constructing the dike. PHOTO: U.S. ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS, JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT. Tropical Storm Isaac caused a lot of flood damage in LaPlace, La., about 25 miles northwest of New Orleans, and in Plaquemines Parish, southeast of New Orleans. However, in South Florida, Lake Okeechobee, which is the backup water supply for South Florida, rose 14.9 feet above sea level, that's four feet higher than this time last year. With the water so high in Okeechobee, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) began considering dumping some lake water. The fear is two fold: The dike is 75-year-old and considered one of the country's most at-risk dikes. The high water level could strain the dike; the larger concern, however, is fear of another hurricane or tropical storm sweeping through in the near future with a storm surge that could breach the dike. Dumping billions of gallons of water of course is colossally wasteful, as the backup supply is useful during the dryer winter and spring seasons in South Florida. This points to the larger issue in South Florida: "We just don't have the capacity to store the water that we need," says Tom Van Lent, a scientist with the Everglades Foundation. "We need to build more infrastructure." On the morning of Sept. 19, the ACE began releasing water from the lake into the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie Estuary. Neuhouser Closes Nursery, Landscape Business Kenton Neuhouser, owner of Neuhouser, a Fort Wayne, Indiana nursery and landscaping business, announced Sept. 18, 2012 that he is closed for business. "…we worked very hard to avoid this ultimate outcome," Mr. Neuhouse said in a written statement. The 35-year-old company was voted first and second "Best Garden Center" in 2011 and 2012 by readers of the local Fort Wayne newspaper, and voted "Best Landscaping Company" in 2011. Neuhouser pointed to slow sales that slowed even more during the summer's heat, and trouble finding a willing lender after the bank reduced the nursery's line of credit. A potential investor also fell out. Neuhouser employed a staff of 20. Neuhouser Nursery of Ft. Wayne, Ind. has close after 35 years in business. Information Request # 558 102 Landscape Architect and Specifier News