A long term calibration and verification of a submerged aquatic vegetation model for Lake Okeechobee

Introduction Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) has multiple functions in Lake Okeechobee. It provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife, stabilizes sediments, reduces phosphorus (P) concentration in the water column by preventing re-suspension of P-rich sediments, and provides a substrate for attached algae, which also helps to remove P from the water column. Ten year water quality and SAV growth simulations are presented and compared with observed SAV and water quality data collected in the nearshore zone in Lake Okeechobee.