On 12/8/21 Lake Okeechobee was at 15.84 feet decreasing by 0.09 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,908 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,447 cfs. The 14-day average flow on 12/8/21 was 1,872 cfs and has been in the optimal flow envelope (750 - 2,100 cfs) for 14 days.

For more information on Lake Okeechobee and estuary conditions go to the latest Caloosahatchee Conditions Report

Satellite imagery over the past week has shown low concentrations of chlorophyll off the coast of Southwest Florida. Karenia brevis and/or other algal species may be contributing to the chlorophyll concentrations.

In FWC samples, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations offshore of Pinellas County (in one sample), background concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County (in one sample), and background and very low concentrations offshore of Lee County (in two samples). Samples collected from or offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Collier, and Monroe counties did not contain K. brevis. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel received 10 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 11/29/21 - 12/5/21.

On 12/7/21 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported the presence cyanobacteria at the Alva Boat Ramp (90 colonies/L), upstream of the Franklin Locks (140 colonies/L), and the Davis Boat Ramp (160 colonies/L). Over the past week, satellite imagery Lake Okeechobee showed algal blooms covering approximately 80 square miles, primarily in the southern portion of the lake.

SCCF staff reported thousands of dead coquina between Tarpon Bay Rd and Sand Pointe, and west of Rabbit Road (photo). This is concerning for shorebirds who rely on coquinas as a source of food.

There was one sea turtle stranding reported: one dead loggerhead in Pine Island Sound.

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.

Algae Reporting App.

Click here to subscribe to Connecting You to SCCF and other SCCF mailing lists.