November 22, 2024

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 11/20/24 Lake Okeechobee was at 16.01 feet, decreasing by 0.12 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,861 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,360 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 1,346 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,968 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 27 days.

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

Water Surface Temperature

Weekly Rainfall Totals

WP Franklin (S-79): 0.35" Ortona (S-78): 0.26" Moore Haven (S-77): 0.00"

Virtual Water Quality Tour from Lighthouse Beach Park

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 11/18/24 at 12:43 PM on a rising tide (-0.2 ft). The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,821 cfs.

Red Tide

On 11/15/24, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 74 samples collected from Southwest Florida over the past week. K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, low and medium concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota and Charlotte counties, very low and medium concentrations in Lee County, and background and very low concentrations offshore of Collier County. 

In the past week, the CROW wildlife hospital on Sanibel admitted 8 patients with suspected red tide/toxicosis: 1 adult laughing gull (still in care), 2 adult sanderlings (1 still in care, 1 deceased), 1 adult fish crow (still in care), 1 juvenile double-crested cormorant (still in care) and 3 adult double-crested cormorants (2 still in care, 1 deceased). 

Blue-Green Algae

On 11/18/24, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported Microcystis as present at the Davis Boat Ramp, appearing as sparse specks. 

On 11/21/24, satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed an algal bloom but cloud cover and wind prevented an area from being determined. The previous area of the bloom, measured on 11/19 was 30 square miles, or 6% of the lake.

Become a Citizen Scientist and Get the Algae Reporting App Today!

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 Quality Dashboard

Water Quality FAQ

Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions regarding water quality and more.

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

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