Corps to adjust target flows from Lake Okeechobee to Caloosahatchee

Published Oct. 16, 2014

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Corps to adjust target flows from Lake Okeechobee to Caloosahatchee

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will adjust the target flows to the Caloosahatchee River as a result of rising water levels at Lake Okeechobee. 

Beginning Friday (Oct. 17), the Corps will adjust the target flow to the Caloosahatchee Estuary to a seven-day average of 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers.  Runoff that accumulates in the Caloosahatchee River (C-43) west of Moore Haven will be allowed to pass through the Franklin structure as has been the case for much of the summer and early fall.

The target flow for the St. Lucie Estuary is unchanged at 0 cfs as measured at the St. Lucie Lock & Dam near Stuart.  However, local basin runoff that accumulates in the St. Lucie Canal (C-44) will continue to be allowed to pass through the spillway as necessary.  

“The increase target flow at Franklin Lock & Dam is in response to increasing lake levels from rainfall earlier  this week,” said Lt. Col. Tom Greco, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida. “We will continue to monitor conditions and adjust flows as warranted.” 

Today, the lake stage is 15.81 feet.  It is currently in the Operational Low Sub-Band (but within 1 foot of Intermediate Sub-Band) of the Corps’ water control plan, the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS).  Under current conditions, LORS authorizes the Corps to discharge 4,000 cfs to the Caloosahatchee and 1,800 cfs to the St. Lucie. 

For information on water level and flows data for Lake Okeechobee, visit the Jacksonville District 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. 14-063