Diver Russell Singson, owner of Barracuda Dive Service in Stuart, is facing a decline in business due to the murky waters caused by discharges from Lake Okeechobee. The water has become so muddy that visibility has decreased significantly, making it difficult for his team to clean boats efficiently. This has resulted in smaller paychecks as they are unable to service as many boats in a day.
Singson explained that sometimes they have had to completely take off work because the water is so murky that they can’t see anything underwater. About 50 boats are currently waiting for cleaning services, putting a strain on the business. In response to the unclear water, Singson and his team are taking extra precautions with sanitation after diving to avoid infections.
Nancy Husk, Operations Manager at At the Helm Training located down the St. Lucie River, also shared her concerns about the impact of the discharges. She mentioned that their bookings for trainings have decreased by 50% compared to the previous year due to concerns about water cleanliness. Customers are apprehensive about being in the water, especially after recalling the severe algae bloom in 2018.
Husk expressed worry about the future if the discharges continue, especially for younger clients who enjoy renting boats and going to sandbars. She hopes that the Army Corps of Engineers will adjust their approach to releasing water, which may help alleviate the impact on local businesses like Barracuda Dive Service and At The Helm Training. Both Singson and Husk are concerned about the economic and environmental implications of ongoing discharges and hope for a positive change soon.
In conclusion, Lake Okeechobee’s discharges have caused significant challenges for local businesses such as Barracuda Dive Service and At The Helm Training located downstream of Lake Okeechobee. These challenges include reduced visibility due to muddy waters which affects boat cleaning efficiency leading to smaller paychecks for workers and declining bookings for training programs due to customers’ concerns over water cleanliness.
Both Singson and Husk express their worries about these challenges’ long-term effects on their businesses and hope that appropriate measures will be taken by government agencies such as Army Corps of Engineers adjusting their approach towards releasing water.