No change to target flows east and west from Lake Okeechobee

Published Aug. 8, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District has announced it will continue the target flows it set in mid-July as it continues to manage water levels at Lake Okeechobee. 

For the Caloosahatchee Estuary, the target flow remains at a 10-day average of 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers.  Local basin runoff will continue to be allowed to pass through Franklin as necessary, which could cause flows to exceed the target.

The target flow for the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80) is unchanged at 0 cfs, although local basin runoff from the St. Lucie Canal (C-44) will continue to be allowed to pass through the St. Lucie Lock as has been the case since early June.  

“The lake has been rising in recent days,” said Lt. Col. Tom Greco, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida. “We are working with the South Florida Water Management District to keep lakes in the Kissimmee chain near the top of their regulation schedules.  We are also seeing success in sending lake water through the southern outlets on the lake.  On Wednesday (Aug 6), 900 cfs was sent to the south while no lake water was sent to the Caloosahatchee River or St. Lucie Canal.”

Today, the lake stage is 14.20 feet, and has risen 0.26 feet in the past week.  It is currently in the Operational Low Sub-Band of the Corps’ water control plan, the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS).   In the Low Sub-Band, under current conditions, LORS authorizes the Corps to discharge up to 3,000 cfs to the Caloosahatchee and up to 1,170 cfs to the St. Lucie. 

“If the lake continues to rise, there is a possibility discharges will have to be increased,” said Greco.  “We will continue to monitor conditions and make adjustments as necessary based on LORS guidance.”

For information on water level and flows data for Lake Okeechobee, visit the water management website page at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/WaterManagement.aspx.

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

Release no. 14-044