JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Mar. 27, 2025) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District began reducing releases under Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations, March 20, and will make further reductions beginning March 29. Current projections show conditions are favorable for successfully reaching recovery metrics if dry conditions continue.
Consistent with the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), the maximum allowable releases under Recovery Operations are:
a. up to 2,100 cfs at S-79 to the Caloosahatchee River Estuary (CRE)
b. up to 1,400 cfs total St. Lucie Estuary (SLE) inflows (S-80 + S-97 + S-49 + Gordy Road)
c. up to 300 cfs to the Lake Worth Lagoon (LWL) at S-271 and S-352
d. up to maximum practicable south at S-351 and S-354
On March 20, Jacksonville District reduced releases through S-80 into the St. Lucie Estuary from a pulse release of 1200 cfs to a target pulse of 500 cfs and through the S-79 into the Caloosahatchee River Estuary from pulse release of 2100 cfs to a target pulse of 1400 cfs. Releases to Lake Worth Lagoon were also reduced from 300 cfs to releases up to 120 cfs. Maximum practicable releases south continue.
Beginning March 29, Jacksonville District will further reduce Lake Okeechobee releases through S-80 into the St. Lucie Estuary and releases to Lake Worth Lagoon to 0 cfs and maintain releases through the S-79 into the Caloosahatchee River Estuary at a target pulse of 1400 cfs. Maximum practicable releases south will continue.
Jacksonville District began releases under Recovery Operations on December 7, 2024. The goal of recovery is to lower Lake Okeechobee water levels before the onset of the wet season to allow for recovery of the lake ecology, specifically submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The operational strategy for these operations slowly brings water levels down by making moderate, non-harmful releases to the estuaries, while also sending maximum beneficial flow south to the Everglades.
Lowering water levels allows light to penetrate to the bottom and allow SAV to regerminate and regrow during the Spring and summer. Regrowth of SAV in Lake Okeechobee will reduce water turbidity and nutrient concentrations. A healthy amount of SAV in the Lake is key to the health of the lake fisheries, and improved water quality within the lake benefits the estuaries if significant releases are necessary in the coming seasons/years.
We continue to monitor the environmental conditions in both estuaries and will adjust Lake Recovery Operations as needed. Even if flows are reduced or halted, this does not end Recovery Operations. Recovery Operations conclude with the start of the wet season.
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