JACKSONVILLE -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will make releases east, west and south out of Lake Okeechobee, beginning Feb. 17, 2024, due to heavier-than-normal El Niño rainfall that has kept the lake at an abnormally high level this dry season.
Releases are being made now to lower the lake level as much as possible before the wet season and to avoid high-volume releases, if possible, during oyster-spawning season or peak algal-bloom months.
Jacksonville District water managers are targeting the maximum allowable flows under the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule 2008 (LORS08), at an average of 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Julian Keen Jr. Lock and Dam (S-77), 1,800 cfs at St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80) and up to 500 cfs to the Lake Worth Lagoon through the C-51 canal. If we continue to receive
additional rainfall, flow rates could increase higher if LORS08 recommends a higher maximum allowable flow based on conditions. LORS08 is equivalent to a vehicle operation manual for operating Lake Okeechobee water release structures.
Prior to increasing releases, the district is consulting with partners and stakeholders for their input on the best way to conduct the target flows from the lake to minimize impact on the communities we serve around the lake and along the estuaries.
Col. James Booth, Commander of the Jacksonville District, will host a media call Friday, Feb. 16, at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the factors that make these releases necessary, and the actions taken in making this decision.
Contact
Michelle (Shelly) Roberts
Email: michelle.l.roberts@usace.army.mil
publicmail.cesaj-cc@usace.army.mil
Office: (904) 232-1004
Release no. 24-010
Release no. 24-012