On 1/26/22 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.07 feet, decreasing by 0.05 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,999 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,320 cfs. The 14-day average flow on 1/26/22 was 1,975 cfs and has been in the optimal flow envelope for 63 days.

For more information on Lake Okeechobee and estuary conditions go to the latest Caloosahatchee Conditions Report

On 1/25/22 SCCF staff observed an abundance of dead coquina clams along Captiva, which likely explains the lack of red knots observed in December and January. They also admitted a possible brevetoxicosis patient, a royal tern, to CROW. SCCF volunteers on North Captiva reported 3 dead gulls and 1 brown pelican, as well as a sick sanderling which was sent to CROW. On 1/21/22 SCCF staff found a dead common loon (pictured) on the east end of Sanibel (cause unknown) and thousands of dead scallops and clams (suspected cause: severe weather). Although Karenia brevis (the toxic red tide forming alga) has dissipated, brevetoxins remain in the food web and continue to affect wildlife following the end of a bloom.

Satellite imagery over the past week has shown no chlorophyll off the coast of Southwest Florida and medium concentrations of chlorophyll in Matlacha Pass. Karenia brevis and/or other algal species may be contributing to the chlorophyll concentrations.

On 1/21/22, the FWC reported that K. brevis was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel received 19 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 1/18/22 - 1/24/22.

On 1/24/22 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab the presence of Microcystis at the Alva Boat Ramp as sparse visible specks. Microcystis and Dolichospermum were present upstream of the Franklin Locks as visible specks with some wind-driven accumulation along the shore. Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and Aphanizomenon were moderately abundant at the Davis Boat Ramp as streaks with wind driven accumulation on the seawall.

Over the past week, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed cyanobacteria bloom potential primarily along the western shore of the lake.

To learn more about our current water conditions, click on the following links:

A collaborative, weekly analysis, including recommendations for water managers regarding Lake Okeechobee flows.

SCCF's River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network is a network of eight optical water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee and the Pine Island Sound estuary to provide real-time water quality data.

Algae Reporting App.

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