April 17, 2026

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 4/15/26 Lake Okeechobee was at 12.07 feet, decreasing by 0.04 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,382 cfs (cubic feet per second) while flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 145 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 106 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,224 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 8 days after 164 days below the optimum flow envelope (<750 cfs).

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): 0.15" Ortona (S-78): 0.18" Julian Keen Jr. (S-77): 0.22"

Red Tide

On 4/10/26, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in in seven samples from Northwest Florida. In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.

Wildlife Impacts

In the past week, the CROW wildlife hospital on Sanibel admitted 3 patients for suspected red tide/toxicosis: 1 juvenile red-footed booby (deceased), 1 adult brown pelican (still in care) and 1 adult royal tern (still in care). SCCF documented one sea turtle stranding, a deceased loggerhead in Pine Island Sound.

Blue-Green Algae

On 4/13/26, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported abundant concentrations of Microcystis, Dolichospermum and cyano filaments upstream of the Franklin Locks, appearing as streaks with accumulation. Microcystis was present at the Davis Boat Ramp and Alva Boat Ramp, appearing as specks. 

Lake Okeechobee Cyanobacteria

On 4/13/26 satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom covering about 90 square miles or 19% 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 (RECON) is a network of water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary to provide real-time, water quality data to scientists, policy makers, and the general public.

Caloosahatchee River Virtual Tour



Red Tide Resources

NOAA HAB Monitoring System - Lake Okeechobee

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