February 10, 2023

On 2/9/23 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.94 feet, decreasing by 0.05 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 2,030 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,332 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,989 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750 - 2,100 cfs) for 42 days.

Red Tide

Satellite imagery over the past week has detected low to medium chlorophyll off the coast of Southwest Florida near Sanibel Island.

On 2/8/23, the FWC reported that over the past week the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, as detected in 114 samples from and offshore of Southwest Florida, and three from Northwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 31 samples from Southwest Florida: six in Sarasota County, 19 in and offshore of Lee County, two offshore of Collier County, and four in and offshore of Monroe County.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County, background concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County, low concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Collier County, and background to high concentrations in and offshore of Monroe County.

SCCF detected Karenia sp. in 12 samples around Sanibel from February 6 - 8, 2023.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) (currently displaced off island) received 2 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 1/31/23 - 2/6/23.

Beach Conditions

SCCF reported an abundance dead crabs along the shoreline from Lighthouse Beach Park to South Seas Resort including calico crabs, swimming crabs, spider crabs, and purse crabs and dead fish on the southern portion of Captiva on 2/7/23.

On 2/1/23 a Sanibel resident reported 5 - 10 dead fish in Kesson Bayou. Species were identified as possibly being mullet, 10 - 12 inches long.

On 2/3/2023 a Sanibel resident reported a fish kill near Sun Dial Resort that included hundreds of eels (species unknown) and respiratory irritation.

On 2/1/23 the City of Sanibel reported a fish kill between Algiers and Tarpon Bay Rd. Dead fish were every few feet to 50 feet and the reported species were mullet, 6 - 10 inches long. Mild sporadic respiratory irritation was reported, and a sick cormorant was found and taken to Blue Coral Vet.

The FWC continues to receive reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation due to the current red tide bloom on Sanibel and in Cape Coral with species including mullet, silver perch, sheepshead, and bream.

Aerial view of red tide bloom at Tarpon Bay Beach on 2/3/23 with Karenia spp. concentrations >25 million cells/L. SCCF.

Dead fish and eels at Tarpon Bay Beach on 2/7/23. SCCF. 

Dead fish on the southern end of Captiva on 2/7/23. SCCF. 

Blue-Green Algae

On 2/6/23 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported

moderately abundant Dolichospermum, Microcystis, and Aphanizomenon upstream of the Franklin Locks as some wind-driven green scum along the lock and shore. Dolichospermum, Microcystis, and Aphanizomenon were present at the Davis Boat Ramp.

On 2/8/23, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed scattered low bloom potential on the lake.