March 22, 2024

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 3/20/26 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.62 feet, decreasing by 0.21 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 3,015 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 2,454 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 3,453 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 4,454 cfs and has been in the damaging flow envelope (>2,600 cfs) for 31 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): 0.07” Ortona (S-78): 0.07” Moore Haven (S-77): 0.04”

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 3/18/24 at 1:58 PM on a rising tide (1.8 ft). The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 4,660 cfs.

Red Tide

On 3/15/24, the FWC reported that the red tide organism Karenia brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample each from Southwest Florida, Northwest Florida and along Florida’s East Coast over the past week. In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Manatee County. K. brevis was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, or Monroe counties.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) received 2 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 3/12/24 - 3/18/24.

Blue-Green Algae

On 3/18/24 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported moderately abundant Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and cyano filaments at the Alva Boat Ramp with streaks and accumulation on the ramp/shore, and at the Davis Boat Ramp with streaks and accumulation. Dolichospermum and cyano filaments were moderately abundant at North Shore Park where no cyanobacteria were visible due to choppy conditions. 

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

Click here to subscribe to the Weekly Water Conditions Tracker

Click here to subscribe to Connecting You to SCCF and other SCCF mailing lists.