February 28, 2025

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 2/26/25 Lake Okeechobee was at 13.81 feet, decreasing by 0.12 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 2,219 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,562 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 1,541 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 2,163 cfs and has been in the stress flow envelope (2,100- 2,600 cfs; RECOVER 2020) for 7 days after 5 days in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 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): 1.64" Ortona (S-78): 1.25" Moore Haven (S-77): 1.37"

Virtual Water Quality Tour from Lighthouse Beach Park

*Due to adverse weather conditions, the aerial photo of water quality is not available this week. Please check back on our aerial photo page in the coming days to see the most recent photo and virtual tour.

Red Tide

On 2/26/25, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 39 samples collected from Florida's Gulf Coast over the past week. In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County, very low and low concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to low concentrations offshore of Sarasota County, background and low concentrations offshore of Charlotte County, background concentrations in Lee County, background concentrations offshore of Collier County, and background to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.

In the past week, the CROW wildlife hospital on Sanibel admitted 2 patients with suspected red tide/toxicosis: 1 juvenile brown pelican (still in care) and 1 adult ruddy turnstone (deceased).

Blue-Green Algae

On 2/24/25, sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported no visible cyanobacteria across all sites. 

On 2/25/25, satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom but cloud cover and winds prevented an area from being determined. The previous area of the bloom from 2/19/25 covered 10 square miles, or 2% 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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