The Big "O" is in trouble and the Powers That Be just don't seem to care. The water level has been held way above where it should be, just to satisfy the agriculture interests in the Everglades. The result has been nearly total destruction of the grass beds that are so important to the health of the lake. Agriculture wants the water level to remain high so that they do not have to pump water to their fields. If it is at normal level then they must run the pumps to get the water out to their farms. 

 I do not believe though that profits for a few are a justification for destroying the worlds greatest bass fishing lake. With the extremely fertile water in the lake, if we have a few really hot days there will be very severe algal bloom which will easily kill many fish. With the FWC finding that their shocking reports this year, that the levels of bass and crappie in the lake are down as much as 75% in some areas, a fish kill could be all it takes to have another Apopka Lake or Harris Chain of Lakes scenario.

Loss of vegetation translates into a decrease in spawning habitat, protective nursery grounds and foraging areas used by black bass and other fish species as well as waterfowl and manatee. It also compromises the lake's water quality. Phosphorus levels are the highest in history. Air born Phosphorus alone amounts to 71 metric tons of it being deposited in the lake each year. Now I wonder if that comes from the burning of the cane fields that circle the lake?