April 19, 2024

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 4/17/24 Lake Okeechobee was at 14.79 feet, decreasing by 0.20 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 1,497 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 1,509 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 1,126 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,065 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs) for 2 days after 2 days in the low stress flow envelope (<750 cfs) & 1 day in the low damaging flow envelope (<MFL: 457 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): 0.10" Ortona (S-78): 0.00" Moore Haven (S-77): 0.10"

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 4/15/24 at 1:41 PM on a rising tide (2.3 ft). The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 742 cfs.

Red Tide

On 4/12/24, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) received 4 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 4/9/24 - 4/15/24.

Blue-Green Algae

On 4/15/24 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported the presence of Dolichospermum, Microcystis and cyano-filaments (including Raphidiopsis) at the Alva Boat Ramp with surface cyano visible as a pale green film and light streaks and upstream of the Franklin Locks with surface cyano and light streaks visible. Dolichospermum, Microcystis, and cyano-filaments were present at the Davis Boat Ramp with surface cyano visible and at Midpoint Bridge Park with some accumulation along the shore.

On 4/15/24, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom on 260 square miles (54%) 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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