April 10, 2026

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 4/8/26 Lake Okeechobee was at 12.11 feet, decreasing by 0.09 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,491 cfs (cubic feet per second) while flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 17 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 184 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 919 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 1 day 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): 1.08" Ortona (S-78): 2.92" Julian Keen Jr. (S-77): 1.28"

Virtual Water Quality Tour from Lighthouse Beach Park

*Due to adverse weather conditions and high winds, it was not possible to capture updated drone images this week. Please check back next week for an updated virtual tour and refer to our aerial photo archive to view recent water quality conditions.

Red Tide

On 4/3/26, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Southwest Florida, offshore of Monroe County.

Wildlife Impacts

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

Blue-Green Algae

On 4/6/26, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported Microcystis as present at the Alva Boat Ramp and Davis Boat Ramp, appearing as sparse specks at both locations. Microcystis was abundant upstream of the Franklin Locks, appearing as streaks with accumulation.

Lake Okeechobee Cyanobacteria

On 4/6/26 satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom covering about 80 square miles or 17% 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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