U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces releases to Caloosahatchee Estuary under Recovery Operations

(Apr. 18, 2025) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District will further reduce releases through the S-79 into the Caloosahatchee River Estuary as part of Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations on April 19. 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

Beginning April 19, Jacksonville District will reduce Lake Okeechobee releases through the S-79 into the Caloosahatchee River Estuary from a target pulse of 1000 cfs to a target pulse of 650 cfs. Releases to the St. Lucie Estuary and Lake Worth Lagoon remain at 0 cfs and 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.

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.