Army Corps increases water releases from Lake Okeechobee

Target release is 7-day average of 2,000 cubic feet per second from W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam

LAKE OKEECHOBEE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River Estuary, beginning Saturday.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the releases to the Caloosahatchee River Estuary will target a pulse release at a seven-day average of 2,000 cubic feet per second from the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam.

This is a slight increase from the 1,800 cfs in effect since April 15.

Because this target is measured at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam, or S-79, it includes local basin runoff and may require flows at S-79 to temporarily go above the target release to maintain flood control along the C-43 Canal, the Army Corps said in a news release.

“We have shifted from the dry season to a wet season weather pattern," Col. James Booth, Jacksonville District commander, said. "Lake Okeechobee water levels have been increasing over the last couple weeks and are currently hovering around 14 feet. Since June 1, the flows coming through the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam have mostly been basin runoff, which exceeded the 1,800 cubic feet per second target. We have not needed to supplement those flows with lake water to meet our target.”