The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will increase flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River to manage lake levels.
Beginning Thursday (June 19), the Corps will adjust the target flow from the lake to the Caloosahatchee Estuary to a 10-day average of 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers. Local runoff outside the lake into the Caloosahatchee River could cause flows to exceed this target.
The target flow for the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80) is unchanged at 0 cfs, although local basin runoff from the St. Lucie Canal will continue to be allowed to pass through the St. Lucie Lock as necessary. This was the case for much of the past week, as more than five inches of rain fell across the basin.
“Precipitation has increased over the past few days,” said Lt. Col. Tom Greco, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida. “Runoff from the rain has increased water levels in our drainage canals to the east and west. There will be times in the coming days and weeks when this runoff will cause target flows to be exceeded.”
Today, the lake stage is 12.65 feet. It is currently in the Base Flow Sub-Band of the Corps’ water control plan, the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS). The Corps will continue to monitor conditions and adjustments to discharges will be made as necessary based on LORS guidance.
For more information on water level and flows data for Lake Okeechobee, visit the Corps’ water management page at the Jacksonville District website:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/WaterManagement.aspx
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Release no. 14-034