Corps to increase water releases from Lake Okeechobee

Published June 21, 2013

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will increase discharges from Lake Okeechobee next week to ensure adequate storage capacity is available for the remainder of the wet season.

The releases will increase starting Monday (June 24).  The average target flow for the Caloosahatchee Estuary over the seven-day period will be increased to 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers.  The new target flow for the St. Lucie Estuary will be 1,170 cfs, as measured at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam near Stuart.  The target flows will include lake water, and any runoff that might be collected in the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie canal. 

“Heavy rains over the past month increased the lake level by over half a foot,” said Lt. Col. Tom Greco, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida.  “These releases are essential to ensure the lake possesses the capacity to safely handle additional heavy-rain throughout the remainder of the wet season.”

The release is being conducted in accordance with the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS), the master plan for water management of the lake.  Today, the lake stage is 13.90 feet, which is within the Low Operational Sub-Band.  

Additional increases in the discharge rate may be necessary as conditions change.  The Corps will continue to monitor and make adjustments as necessary.

For more information on water level and flows data for Lake Okeechobee, visit the Jacksonville District’s water management page: 

http://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml


Contact
John H. Campbell
904-232-1004
john.h.campbell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 13-037