March 29, 2024

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 3/27/26 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.38 feet, decreasing by 0.24 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 5,078 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 3,635 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 3,037 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 4,037 cfs and has been in the damaging flow envelope (>2,600 cfs) for 38 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): 1.40” Ortona (S-78): 1.23” Moore Haven (S-77): 1.23”

Red Tide

On 3/22/24, the FWC reported that the red tide organism Karenia brevis was observed at background concentrations in two samples collected from Southwest Florida over the past week; from and offshore of Sarasota County. K. brevis was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte, Lee, or Collier counties. No samples from Monroe County were analyzed this week.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) received 5 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 3/19/24 - 3/25/24.

Blue-Green Algae

On 3/25/24 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported

moderately abundant Microcystis, Dolichospermum and Raphidiopsis at Royal Palm Park with some accumulation, upstream of the Franklin Locks with streaks and some accumulation, and at the Davis Boat Ramp with streaks and accumulation. Dolichospermum and Raphidiopsis were present at the Alva Boat Ramp with streaks and a pale green tint to the water.

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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