The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District continues to monitor conditions and will reduce flows from the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) to the Caloosahatchee estuary.
Starting Saturday, June 1, the Corps will reduce the pulse release to the Caloosahatchee estuary to a 7-day average rate of 450 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.
"With the water level dropping below 11 feet and approaching the water shortage management band, the time is appropriate to reduce flows slightly without significant environmental impacts,” said Kelly.