Every day, diver Russell Singson suits up to clean boats underneath in Stuart. However, he mentioned that business has been suffering due to discharges from Lake Okeechobee, causing the water to become murky. This makes it challenging for divers like Singson to see clearly underwater and complete their work efficiently.
Singson, the owner of Barracuda Dive Service, shared how the decreased visibility has affected his business, leading to smaller paychecks and delays in servicing boats. His concerns are shared by Nancy Husk, operations manager of At the Helm Training, located down the St. Lucie River. They have seen a significant decrease in bookings for training sessions, largely due to worries about the cleanliness of the water stemming from the discharges.
Husk highlighted the impact on younger clients who are hesitant to rent boats and engage in water activities due to the current water conditions. Both Singson and Husk are hopeful that the Army Corps of Engineers will implement changes to reduce the discharges into the area. Singson mentioned that they have a plan in progress to release less water in their direction, and he is optimistic that this will come to fruition. Husk emphasized the importance of addressing the issue before it escalates into severe algae blooms, similar to what occurred in 2018, which could further harm local water-based businesses and deter visitors from enjoying the area.
Diver Russell Singson is determined not to let discharges from Lake Okeechobee affect his business negatively. He is constantly looking for ways to adapt and overcome obstacles such as murky waters caused by these discharges.
Nancy Husk’s operations manager role at At The Helm Training has become increasingly difficult as they’ve seen a significant decrease in bookings due to worries about water cleanliness stemming from Lake Okeechobee discharges.
Despite these challenges, both Singson and Husk remain optimistic that changes will be made by the Army Corps of Engineers to reduce discharges into their areas.
The impact of Lake Okeechobee discharges on local businesses cannot be overstated. Divers like Russell Singson struggle with murky waters while young clients are hesitant to rent boats or participate in water activities.
As operations manager at At The Helm Training
