On 12/15/21 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.73 feet, decreasing by 0.02 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,923 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,382 cfs. The 14-day average flow on 12/15/21 was 1,923 cfs and has been in the optimal flow envelope (750 - 2,100 cfs) for 28 days.

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

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

On 12/22/21, the FWC reported that K. brevis was detected in six samples along Florida’s Gulf Coast. In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in and offshore of Lee County.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel received 27 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 12/14/21 - 12/19/21.

On 12/20/21 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported the presence of Microcystis and Dolichospermum upstream of the Franklin Locks as some streaks with light wind-driven accumulation along the locks and shore. Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and Planktothrix were moderately abundant at the Davis Boat Ramp as streaks with accumulation along the seawall. Over the past week, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed algal blooms covering approximately 40 square miles, an increase since last week, primarily in the western portion of the lake.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the SCCF family to yours. We'll return with the conditions update in 2022. Enjoy the holidays!

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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