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This Week's Water Conditions Update

May 24, 2024

Water Conditions Tracker

Lake Okeechobee Levels & Caloosahatchee Flow Impacts

On 5/22/24 Lake Okeechobee was at 13.42 feet, decreasing by 0.31 feet in the past week. The weekly average flow at S-79 was 2,213 cfs (cubic feet per second) and flow from the Lake at S-77 was an average of 2,397 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-77 was 2,021 cfs. The 14-day average flow at S-79 was 1,934 cfs and has been in the optimum flow envelope (750- 2,100 cfs) for 37 days.

For more information on Lake Okeechobee and estuary conditions go to the latest Caloosahatchee Conditions Report.

Oyster Sampling and Modeling Will Inform Reef Restoration

Continuing a project that began in 2020, the SCCF Marine Laboratory is teaming up with scientists and students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) to study oyster settlement and abundance in the Caloosahatchee.

Read More

Water Surface Temperature

This Week

Daily Average for May 22, 2024


Gulf of Mexico: 86.3°F

Caloosahatchee (Alva): 87.8°F

Lake Okeechobee (Polesout3s): 83.3°F


Last Week

Daily Average for May 15, 2024


Gulf of Mexico: 85.4°F

Caloosahatchee (Alva): 86.0°F

Lake Okeechobee (Polesout3s): 83.3°F



Weekly Rainfall Totals

WP Franklin (S-79): 0.90" Ortona (S-78): 0.15" Moore Haven (S-77): 0.00"

Red Tide

On 5/17/24, the FWC reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week. 

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) received 3 birds with toxicosis symptoms (from red tide or blue-green algae) from 5/14/24 - 5/20/24.

Blue-Green Algae

On 5/20/24 sampling for cyanobacteria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported moderately abundant Microcystis and Dolichospermum upstream of the Franklin Locks and at the Alva Boat Ramp as streaks with some accumulation along the lock and shore/ ramp. Microcystis and Dolichospermum were present at the Davis Boat Ramp, appearing as streaks.

On 5/22/24, satellite imagery from Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom on 180 square miles (38%) of the Lake.

Become a Citizen Scientist and Get the Algae Reporting App Today!

SCCF wants to know when and where all types of algae sightings occur to monitor conditions around the islands and to investigate algae bloom occurrence with patterns in seasonal weather changes and Lake Okeechobee water management practices.


Click on and bookmark this link to report an algal bloom sighting.

Resources To Follow:

To learn more about our current water conditions, click on the following links:


Water Quality Dashboard


Water Quality FAQ

Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions regarding water quality and more.


Water Conditions Update Archive


Caloosahatchee Conditions Report

A collaborative, weekly analysis, including recommendations for water managers regarding Lake Okeechobee flows.


RECON

SCCF's River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network is a network of eight optical water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee and the Pine Island Sound estuary to provide real-time water quality data.


Caloosahatchee River Virtual Tour



Red Tide Resources


NOAA HAB Monitoring System - Lake Okeechobee

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