June 9, 2023

On 6/7/23 Lake Okeechobee was at 14.00 feet, increasing by 0.15 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 3,517 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 188 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 2,701 cfs and has been in the stress flow envelope (750 - 2,100 cfs) for 2 days.

Red Tide

On 6/2/23, the FWC reported that over the past week the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in one sample collected from Florida’s Southwest Coast. No samples above background levels were observed. 

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Lee County. 

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) received 2 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 5/30/23 - 6/5/23.

Blue-Green Algae

On 6/5/23 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported moderately abundant Microcystis and Dolichospermum at the Alva Boat Ramp as streaks with no accumulation. Microcystis and Dolichospermum were present upstream of the Franklin Locks with some accumulation along the shore/lock and some minor streaks. Microcystis and Dolichospermum and were abundant at the Davis Boat Ramp as streaks with heavy accumulation along the seawall and ramp.

Abundant Microcystis and Dolichospermum at the Davis Boat Ramp on 6/5/23. Photo: Lee County Natural Resources Environmental Lab.

Lake Okeechobee cyanobacteria bloom on 5-22-23. Photo: Ralph Arwood and Calusa Waterkeeper

Lake Okeechobee cyanobacteria bloom on 6-4-23. Photo: Ralph Arwood and Calusa Waterkeeper

On 6/7/23, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed high bloom potential in Lake Okeechobee covering approximately 340 square miles of the Lake which is an increase from 100 square miles on 5/15/23, around the time when algal bloom began forming on Lake Okeechobee.

Blue-green algae sampling results for the last 30-days for the 10 county area (Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe). Data from FDEP Blue-green algae dashboard

Of the 104 samples collected, cyanobacteria was dominate in 68 samples, 24 samples had toxins present ranging from 0.11 to 23 μg per L (does not include non-detects) which is above the EPA recommended standard for recreational waters (8 µg per L). 

*Data are provisional and subject to change.

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 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