Corps to increase target flows from Lake Okeechobee to Caloosahatchee

Published Nov. 20, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will adjust the target flows to the Caloosahatchee River as part of its efforts to enhance fish and wildlife at Lake Okeechobee. 

Beginning Friday (Nov. 21), the new target flow to the Caloosahatchee Estuary is a 14-day average of 1,200 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 continue to be allowed to pass through the structure.

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 lake has been above 15.5 feet for the past six weeks,” said Lt. Col. Tom Greco, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida. “This slight increase of 200 cfs to the Caloosahatchee will help return the lake to its preferred range which will benefit the lake’s ecology.”

Today, the lake stage is 15.56 feet.  It is currently in the Operational Low Sub-Band (but within 1 foot of Intermediate Sub-Band) as defined by the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS).  Under current conditions, LORS authorizes the Corps to discharge 3,000 cfs to the Caloosahatchee and 1,170 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.

-30-


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

Release no. 14-069