January 23, 2025

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 1/21/25 Lake Okeechobee was at 13.00 feet, decreasing by 0.19 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 438 cfs (cubic feet per second) while flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 521 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 480 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 423 cfs and has been below the optimum flow envelope (<750 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 88 days.

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

Water Surface Temperature

Weekly Rainfall Totals

WP Franklin (S-79): 0.00" Ortona (S-78): 0.10" Julian Keen Jr. (S-77): 0.00"

Red Tide

On 1/16/26, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed in 31 samples from Florida’s Gulf Coast. In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, background concentrations offshore of Collier County, and background to low concentrations offshore of Monroe County. In Northwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Walton County, background to medium concentrations in Bay and Gulf counties, and very low concentrations in Franklin County.

Wildlife Impacts

In the past week, the CROW wildlife hospital on Sanibel admitted 8 patients for suspected red tide/toxicosis: 1 Adult Royal Tern (still in care), 2 Adult Ring-billed Gulls (both deceased), 1 Adult Black Crowned Night Heron (still in care),  1 Juvenile Brown Pelican (still in care), 1 Adult Brown Pelican (still in care), 1 Adult Laughing Gull (deceased), and 1 Juvenile Brown Pelican (deceased).

Blue-Green Algae

On 1/20/26, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported Microcystis, Dolichospermum and cyano filaments as abundant upstream of the Franklin Locks, appearing as streaks with some accumulation and as present at the Davis Boat Ramp, appearing as streaks. 

On 1/19/26 satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom but cloud cover and wind prevented an area from being determined. The previous area of the bloom measured on 1/10 covered about 180 square miles, or 39% of the lake.

Become a Citizen Scientist and Get the Algae Reporting App Today!

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:

Water Quality Dashboard

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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