April 24, 2026

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 4/22/26 Lake Okeechobee was at 11.91 feet, decreasing by 0.16 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 515 cfs (cubic feet per second) while flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 544 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 331 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 811 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 15 days after 164 days below the optimum flow envelope (<750 cfs).

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): 0.15" Julian Keen Jr. (S-77): 0.00"

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 4/20/26 at 2:55 PM on a falling tide (3.1 ft). The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,195 cfs.

Red Tide

On 4/17/26, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in three samples from Northwest Florida and one offshore sample from Southwest Florida, in Lee County. 

Wildlife Impacts

In the past week, the CROW wildlife hospital on Sanibel admitted 1 patient for suspected red tide/toxicosis: 1 adult little blue heron (deceased).

Blue-Green Algae

On 4/20/26, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported moderately abundant concentrations of Microcystis, Dolichospermum and cyano filaments upstream of the Franklin Locks and at the Alva Boat Ramp, appearing as streaks with some accumulation. Cyanobacteria was present at the Davis Boat Ramp, appearing as specks. 

Lake Okeechobee Cyanobacteria

On 4/18/26 satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom covering about 140 square miles or 30% 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 (RECON) is a network of water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary to provide real-time, water quality data to scientists, policy makers, and the general public.

Caloosahatchee River Virtual Tour



Red Tide Resources

NOAA HAB Monitoring System - Lake Okeechobee

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