Corps to resume flows Lake Okeechobee to Caloosahatchee

Published Sept. 18, 2017

With Lake Okeechobee continuing its ascent, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District plans to resume flows to the Caloosahatchee River this week.

Starting tomorrow (Sept. 19), the Corps will release as much water as practical through the spillway at Moore Haven Lock and Dam (S-77) located on the southwest side of the lake.  Flows will vary based on downstream conditions in the Caloosahatchee River/Estuary. 

On Friday (Sept. 15), the Corps resumed releases through the spillway at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam (S-308) on the east side of the lake.  At that time, the decision was made to hold off on sending water down the Caloosahatchee due to high tidal cycles that were slowing the amount of runoff that could pass through the spillway at W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers. 

“The challenges with high water that we saw on the Caloosahatchee last week have subsided,” said Col. Jason Kirk, Jacksonville District Commander.  “Starting releases from the lake now will help slow the rise so we can retain as much storage as possible in the lake for future precipitation events.”

Today, the lake stage is 15.50 feet and rising.  Depending on runoff and other factors, the Corps could achieve flows from the lake between 2,000 and 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).  Water managers will continue to give priority for accumulated runoff and high tides to reduce potential for flooding of nearby property owners.

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

 

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Contact
Susan Jackson
904-232-1630
susan.j.jackson@usace.army.mil
or
John Campbell
(904) 232-1004
John.H.Campbell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 17-048