of discharge of the river into Lake Okeechobee. During this period the minimum daily discharge was over 130 millions of gallons or over 3 times the greatest daily rate of production of treated water at the Miami plant. Factors to be considered in the selection of this supply include the effect of possible upstream development upon existing drouth or base flow, and the effect of possible large future diversions from the Kissimmee River upon the storage requirements in Lake Okeechobee which are principally for navigation and agricultural activities. The Kissimnmee River is designated by law a navigable waterway.
The quality of water in the Kissimimee River is, from many points of view, the best to be found In southeastern Florida. Its average hardness of about 20 parts per-million classifies it as the largest, single source of very soft water in this part of the State. The total mineral content of about 70 parts per million is also lower than that of any other major source of water in the area included in the investigation. The color of the Kissimimee River is high and objectionable but could be removed with proper treatment. Although soft waters tend to be corrosive it is a rather simple matter to correct this condition.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
This large body of water, the nearest shore of which lies about 65 air line miles northwest of Miami has long been considered by many persons as a possible future source of water supply for the municipalities along the Florida lower east coast. Certain groups have favored carrying the water to the coastal strip by closed conduit or pipe line; others by use of the'existing open canals. Studies dealing with the adequacy of water in Lake