This Week's Water Conditions Update
January 21, 2022
Water Conditions Tracker
Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts
On 1/20/22 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.12 feet, decreasing by 0.10 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,961 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,189 cfs. The 14-day average flow on 1/20/22 was 2,025 cfs and has been in the optimal flow envelope for 57 days.
For more information on Lake Okeechobee and estuary conditions go to the latest Caloosahatchee Conditions Report
Virtual Water Quality Tour from Lighthouse Beach
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.

The latest aerial imagery from Lighthouse Beach Park on Tuesday 1/18/22 shows the effects of the cold front and significant rain and wind event on Sunday 1/16/22. Wind and wave action caused high turbidity and runoff caused dark brown water to flow into Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay, both of which reduced water clarity. 

Photo was taken on 1/18/22 at 11:27 AM on a rising tide (high tide @ 2:27 PM (1.29 ft)).
Wildlife Reports
Scallops, sea urchins, macroalgae, and other marine life were stranded on Lighthouse Beach Park on 1/18/22. The suspected cause was severe weather caused by a cold front a significant wind and rain on 1/16/22.
Red Tide
Satellite imagery over the past week has shown no chlorophyll off the coast of Southwest Florida and medium concentrations of chlorophyll in Matlacha Pass. Karenia brevis and/or other algal species may be contributing to the chlorophyll concentrations.

On 1/14/22, the FWC reported that K. brevis was observed at background levels in one sample in Manatee County.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel received 15 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 1/9/22 - 1/17/22.
Blue-Green Algae
On 1/20/22 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported the
presence of Microcystis and Dolichospermum at the Alva Boat Ramp and Davis Boat Ramp. Microcystis and Dolichospermum were reported as moderately abundant upstream of the Franklin Locks.

Over the past week, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed cyanobacteria primarily along the western shore of the lake.
Resources To Follow:
To learn more about our current water conditions, click on the following links:

A collaborative, weekly analysis, including recommendations for water managers regarding Lake Okeechobee flows.

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.

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