This Week's Water Conditions Update
June 10, 2022
Water Conditions Tracker
Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts
On 6/9/22 Lake Okeechobee was at 12.78 feet, increasing by 0.19 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 3129 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 0 cfs. The 14-day average flow on 6/9/22 was 2220 cfs and has been in the stress flow envelope for 1 day.
For more information on Lake Okeechobee and estuary conditions go to the latest Caloosahatchee Conditions Report
Tropical Cyclone One
In preparation for Tropical Cyclone One the USACE announced that there would be no releases from Lake Okeechobee, including S-77, during Tropical Cyclone One, suspending the current weekly release target of 1,000 cfs at S-79 to the Caloosahatchee. All flows at S-79 are due to basin runoff. Any release decisions made after the storm will be communicated prior to execution.

The area encompassing the South Florida Water Management District received an average of 4.675" of rain in the past 7 days. The Tidal Caloosahatchee basin received 5.328", the West Caloosahatchee received 5.378", and the East Caloosahatchee Basin received 4.43". This resulted in a significant amount of basin runoff and increased flows to the estuary at S-79.
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.

Photo was taken on 6/6/22 at 2:16 PM on a rising tide (Low tide @ 11:49 AM (1.72ft).
Red Tide
Satellite imagery over the past week has not detected any blooms off the coast of Southwest Florida.

On 5/27/22, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis was observed at background concentrations in Lee County and offshore of Collier County.
Blue-Green Algae
On 6/7/22 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported
moderately abundant Microcystis, Dolichospermum and cyanobacterial filaments at the Alva Boat Ramp with some specks and accumulation on the ramp. Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and cyanobacterial filaments were present upstream of the Franklin Locks as with slight accumulation along the lock. Dolichospermum and cyanobacterial
filaments were present at North Shore Park with some specks visible.

Over the past week, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed 20 - 25% bloom potential in Lake Okeechobee primarily along the northwest shoreline and in Fisheating Bay.
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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