The purpose of the study is to better understand nutrient and sediment transport to the estuaries under different flow conditions. USACE executed similar deviations in 2021 and 2022 to support the same study.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District plans to execute a minor adjustment to the current lake release schedule from Tuesday, February 21 through Friday, February 24, that will release water from Lake Okeechobee as part of an ongoing sediment study by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The current lake release target has been in effect since January 20, 2023. Releases from Lake Okeechobee are scheduled at a seven-day average pulse release of 2,000 cubic feet per second to the Caloosahatchee Estuary at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) and a seven-day average pulse release of 500 cubic feet per second to the St. Lucie Estuary at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam (S-80). In addition, there is a seven-day steady release of 100 cubic feet per second to the Lake Worth Lagoon from Lake Okeechobee.

The releases for the upcoming sediment study will affect only the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam (S-308) and the Julian Keen, Jr. Lock and Dam (S-77) as water is released to support the study.

The initial study releases are planned for the morning of Tuesday, February 21 at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam (S-308) and are expected to last for a maximum of four hours of flows not to exceed 2,800 cubic feet per second, followed by flows not to exceed 1,500 cubic feet per second in the afternoon, for a maximum of four hours. On Wednesday, February 22, study releases are expected to last for a maximum of four hours of flows not to exceed 2,400 cubic feet per second, followed by flows not to exceed 1,500 cubic feet per second in the afternoon, for a maximum of four hours.