December 13, 2024

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 12/11/24 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.52 feet, decreasing by 0.16 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 2,228 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,919 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 1,731 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 2,053 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 48 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): 0.05" Moore Haven (S-77): 0.21"

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 12/9/24 at 1:00 PM on a slack tide (0.7 ft). The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 2,070 cfs.

Red Tide

On 12/11/24, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 101 samples collected from Florida's Gulf Coast over the past week. In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in Pinellas County, very low and medium concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County, low and medium concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, and background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Collier County.

In the past week, the CROW wildlife hospital on Sanibel admitted 1 patient with suspected red tide/toxicosis: 1 adult laughing gull (deceased).

Blue-Green Algae

On 12/10/24, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported no visible cyanobacteria across all sites.

On 12/10/24, satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed an algal bloom but cloud cover and wind prevented an area from being determined. The previous area of the bloom, measured on 12/9 was 20 square miles, or 4% 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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