JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District today announced no changes to the current operational guidance for Lake Okeechobee. Target releases will remain unchanged as operations continue under drought conditions across the Central and Southern Florida Project.
The 2026 wet season officially began May 15 based on south Florida's seasonal weather patterns. However, below-average rainfall during the winter and spring resulted in drought conditions and below-normal water levels throughout the system. Atlantic hurricane season began June 1, but rainfall this summer has not resulted in significant hydrologic recovery.
Lake Okeechobee remains within the Water Shortage Management Zone of the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). USACE continues coordinating with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Tribal governments, state and federal agencies, and stakeholders to manage available water.
"Current operations remain focused on conserving available water while allowing the system to recover as seasonal rainfall returns," said Col. Brandon Bowman, commander of the USACE Jacksonville District. "We will continue to evaluate hydrologic conditions and adjust operations as needed to support the state while the lake is low."
Low water levels have resulted in numerous challenges this dry season which will persist until rainfall picks up.
"Our objective is to retain water within the system whenever operationally feasible and recover Lake Okeechobee to between 14.5 and 15.5 feet NGVD by the end of the wet season," said Savannah Lacy, Chief of the Jacksonville District's Water Management Operations Unit. "We will continue coordinating closely with SFWMD as conditions evolve."
Any future changes to Lake Okeechobee operations will be announced through a USACE news release based on guidance from the South Florida Water Management District.
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Release no. 26-034