28 Oct 2022

W.P. Franklin Lock recreational facilities remain closed temporarily following Hurricane Ian

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District would like to inform the public that the recreational facilities at the W.P Franklin Lock and Dam on the Caloosahatchee River near Alva, Florida, sustained damage during Hurricane Ian and will remain closed until further notice.

15 Sep 2022

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers to plant trees at W.P. Franklin Recreation Area on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24

ALVA, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District invites the public to participate in a day of service at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam Recreation Area near Alva on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24, from 7:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. Activities include planting close to 3,000 native trees to reforest open land, provide habitat restoration and educational opportunities for the local community. “We welcome volunteers of all ages to help us plant trees in an effort to reforest roughly 8.5 acres of land to create a natural Hardwood Hammock habitat at the W.P. Franklin Recreation Area as part of our Engineering with Nature Program,” said Col. James Booth, Jacksonville District Commander. This is the first of several opportunities that will be available to members of the local community who would like to volunteer to plant and restore native canopy and understory plants and grasses in an open area at the W.P. Franklin Recreation Area.”

8 Oct 2020

Corps announces the second phase of reopenings at recreation facilities

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces a second phase of reopenings starting October 9, at Corps-managed recreation areas along the Okeechobee Waterway that were closed in March to protect against the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

28 May 2020

Corps announces gradual reopening of camping and recreation areas closed due to COVID-19

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces the gradual reopening, starting June 1, of some Corps-managed recreation areas along the Okeechobee Waterway that were closed to protect against the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). “The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, and visitors is our top priority. Our rangers have been hard at work, planning for the gradual reopening of our recreation facilities and implementing increased protection measures and signage to ensure everyone can enjoy our recreation areas safely and responsibly,” said Jeff Fallin, Chief of the South Florida Operations Office in Clewiston. “We know that everyone is looking forward to getting outside and returning to their favorite recreation areas, and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.”

20 Mar 2020

Corps campgrounds to shut down due to COVID-19

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces that there will be an orderly shutdown of the Corps Campgrounds on the Okeechobee Waterway next week, including the Ortona South, St. Lucie South and W.P. Franklin North Campgrounds.

4 Oct 2019

Corps to release water to the Caloosahatchee Estuary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will provide flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee Estuary this week.

1 May 2019

Corps reduces flows from Lake O

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District continues to monitor conditions and is stepping down releases from Lake Okeechobee. Starting Saturday, May 4, the Corps will reduce the pulse release to the Caloosahatchee estuary to a 7-day average rate of 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79). Flows to the St. Lucie estuary remain at zero cfs as measured at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80). This schedule will remain in effect until further notice. Additional runoff from rain in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie basins could occasionally result in flows that exceed one or both targets.

17 Apr 2019

Corps adjusts flows from Lake O

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District continues to monitor conditions and has adjusted releases from Lake Okeechobee accordingly. Starting Saturday, April 20, the Corps will reduce the pulse release to the Caloosahatchee estuary to a 7-day average rate of 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79). Flows to the St. Lucie estuary remain at zero cfs as measured at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80). This schedule will remain in effect until further notice. Additional runoff from rain in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie basins could occasionally result in flows that exceed one or both targets.

22 Feb 2019

Corps takes action to lower Lake Okeechobee in advance of wet season

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will increase flows from Lake Okeechobee to stem the recent rise in water levels and to reduce the probability of high-volume releases during the wet season. The Corps will use Additional Operational Flexibility as defined by the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule to increase flows for the next three weeks. Starting Saturday, February 23, and continuing for the next 21 days, the Corps will release water to the Caloosahatchee estuary at an average rate of 1,800 cubic feet per second from the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam, and to the St. Lucie estuary from the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80) at an average rate of 500 cubic feet per second. Additional runoff from rain in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie basins could occasionally result in flows that exceed one or both targets.

25 Jan 2019

Corps adjusts flows to Caloosahatchee Estuary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District has adjusted the amount of water flowing from Lake Okeechobee and the W.P. Franklin Lock (S-79) to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, on Friday, January 25. The new release schedule will began on Friday, January 25, with a constant release of 700 cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at W.P. Franklin Lock (S-79) near Fort Myers. The St. Lucie target will remain at zero cfs.