The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will make minor adjustments in flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River starting Friday (Sept. 12).
The Corps will adjust the target flow from the lake to the Caloosahatchee Estuary to a seven-day average of 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) near Fort Myers. However, as has been the case for much of the summer, local runoff outside the lake into the Caloosahatchee River will likely continue to cause flows to exceed this target on a frequent basis.
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 (C-44) will continue to be allowed to pass through the St. Lucie Lock as necessary.
“The lake remains relatively stable as a result of operations and changed hydrologic and meteorological conditions ,” said Lt. Col. Tom Greco, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida. "Based on the multi-seasonal outlook, the water control plan calls for the Corps to reduce flows from the lake."
Today, the lake stage is 14.50 feet. It is currently in the Operational Low 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. 14-055