November 17, 2023

On 11/15/23 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.95 feet, decreasing by 0.07 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,856 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,499 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,752 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750 - 2,100 cfs) for 22 days.

Water Surface Temperature

Weekly Rainfall Totals

WP Franklin (S-79): 2.35” Ortona (S-78): 2.03” Moore Haven (S-77): 2.45”

Virtual Water Quality Tour from Lighthouse Beach Park

Click here or on the image above to take a virtual tour from above Lighthouse Beach Park to see how the water looked this week.

Photo was taken on 11/13/23 at 12:03 PM on a high tide (1.8 ft). The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,737 cfs.

Red Tide

On 11/9/23, the FWC reported the red tide organism Karenia brevis was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) received 8 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 11/7/23 - 11/13/23.

Blue-Green Algae

On 11/14/23 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported the presence of Microcystis and Dolichospermum at the Alva Boat Ramp as visible specks. Microcystis and Dolichospermum were moderately abundant upstream of the Franklin Locks with some wind-driven accumulation and streaks and abundant at the Davis Boat Ramp with streaks and accumulation.

SCCF wants to know when and where all types of algae sightings occur to monitor conditions around the islands and to investigate algae bloom occurrence with patterns in seasonal weather changes and Lake Okeechobee water management practices.

Click on and bookmark this link to report an algal bloom sighting.

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

*NEW* Water Quality FAQ

Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions regarding water quality and more.

Water Conditions Update Archive

Caloosahatchee Conditions Report

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

RECON

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.

Caloosahatchee River Virtual Tour



Red Tide Resources

NOAA HAB Monitoring System - Lake Okeechobee

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