The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District plans to continue pulse releases from Lake Okeechobee at current rates.
The target flow for the Caloosahatchee Estuary remains unchanged at a 7 day average of 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers. The target flow for the St. Lucie Estuary remains at an average of 1,170 cfs as measured at St. Lucie Lock & Dam (S-80) near Stuart.
"We continue to follow the guidance in the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule," said Lt. Col. Jennifer Reynolds, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida. "Forecasts indicate drier conditions during the winter months. We are preparing for a gradual reduction of releases to dry-season flows over the coming weeks."
Today, the lake stage is 15.80 feet, down 0.07 feet since last week. The Corps continues to conduct inspections of Herbert Hoover Dike. At current lake levels, both the southern and the northern half of the dike are inspected twice a month. No structural issues with the dike have been identified in any of the inspections since Irma passed through the area in September.
The Corps will continue to monitor conditions and adjust flows as necessary. For more information on water level and flows data for Lake Okeechobee and other parts of south Florida, visit the Corps’ water management website at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/WaterManagement.aspx.
Release no. 17-076