Lake Okeechobee, covering 320,278 acres, is a Public lake situated in Unincorporated Palm Beach County, with the associated WBID(s): 3212A, 3212B, 3212C, 3212D, 3212E, 3212F, 3212G, 3212H, 3212I.
Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida. It spans across Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, and Hendry counties. The lake is relatively shallow with an average depth of only 9 feet. Lake Okeechobee is part of the Greater Everglades ecosystem which spans from the headwaters of the Kissimmee River to the Everglades. Water flows into Lake Okeechobee primarily from the Kissimmee River as well as Fisheating Creek, Lake Istokpoga, Taylor Creek, and smaller tributaries. Historically, water flowed south out of the Lake and through the Everglades by natural sheet flow. Today, the lake is enclosed by the Herbert Hoover Dike and outflows are directed through control gates to canals that flow to tidal rivers, such as the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and estuaries.
The overall health of Lake Okeechobee has declined over the years due to excessive nutrient pollution from agricultural and urban runoff, damaging high and low water levels, and the spread of exotic vegetation. This has contributed to recurring harmful algal blooms (HABs) and declining water quality in the lake and connected rivers and estuaries.
Lake Okeechobee WBIDs are unified under one Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Total Phosphorus (TP). The TMDL was adopted in 2001 and well predated the development of Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC). The TMDL therefore is not aimed at meeting the applicable NNC (as those were developed later). Lake Okeechobee has two different sets of NNC based on the WBIDs’ lake classification; WBIDs 3212A, 3212B, 3212C, 3212D, and 3212I are Lake Type 1 and WBIDs 3212E, 3212F, 3212G, and 3212H are Lake Type 2. Type 1 lakes are characterized as colored lakes (Color > 40 PCU) and Type 2 lakes are characterized as clear, high alkalinity lakes (Color = 40 PCU and Alkalinity > 20 mg/L CaCO3). The majority of the lake’s littoral shelf is within the Type 1 WBIDs. Total Nitrogen (TN) criteria differ for Type 1 and Type 2 lake WBIDs; however, Lake Okeechobee is regulated as a Phosphorus-limited system so the regulatory objective is focused only on Total Phosphorus reduction. For other parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen and E. coli, the Lake Okeechobee WBIDs share a single set of criteria.
View Maps / Data
CHNEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) identified four action plans: water quality improvement; hydrological restoration; fish, wildlife, and habitat improvement; and public engagement. Click on the interactive maps below to view data associated with these goals and actions.
Water Quality Snapshot
The Water Quality Snapshot compares the most current water quality data to applicable water quality standards for Chlorophyll a, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Bacteria, and Dissolved Oxygen to provide a snapshot of how a waterbody is doing. Water quality standards are outlined in Florida Administrative Code 62-302 for fresh/marine waterbodies of different types and uses. A Water Body Identification number (WBID) is an assessment unit that is intended to represent Florida’s waterbodies at the watershed or sub-watershed scale. The assessment units are drainage basins, lakes, lake drainage areas, springs, rivers and streams, segments of rivers and streams, coastal, bay and estuarine waters in Florida.
Showing water quality snapshots for out of WBIDs. View data for all WBIDs
3212A - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212B - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212C - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212D - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212E - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212F - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212G - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212H - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
3212I - LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Lake Okeechobee & Caloosahatchee Release Levels Tracker
Lake Okeechobee is just outside the CHNEP area; however, its management and water quality have a direct and significant impact on the ecological health of the Caloosahatchee River, its estuary, and watershed. The man-made dike surrounding the lake provides necessary flood protection to area residents, and the Lake's water levels are controlled by a series of water control structures to its west, east and south. However, these artificial elements and the Lake's operations have caused unintended negative consequences for the ecological health of the Kissimmee River basin and the Everglades, as well as for the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers and their estuaries. The lake is polluted with excessive nutrients and pesticides and as a result, experiences periodic cyanobacteria algae blooms. High water levels in the lake cause concern that the dike may breach, endangering public health and safety. Additionally, high Lake levels for sustained periods can cause the Lake's submerged aquatic vegetation to die off, resulting in decreased aquatic habitat and poorer water quality.
The Caloosahatchee River and its estuary require regular, adequate and appropriate levels of freshwater flow from the Lake to maintain proper salinity in its tidal reach for maintaining conditions for its aquatic life. Therefore, proper management of Lake discharges is imperative for maintaining an ecologically healthy Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. Lake Management and controlling the timing and amount of discharges from the Lake is a delicate balancing act that must consider public safety, the health of the lake, and the health of the estuaries. Too much freshwater flow lowers salinity excessively in the estuaries and overwhelms them with pollutants from the lake. Too little flow, and the estuaries suffer harm from low water levels and high salinity. Detailed information about the release schedule is documented in the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM).
Lake Okeechobee & Caloosahatchee Estuary Tracker
The graphs below show recent elevation levels1 of Lake Okeechobee, and the corresponding rate of discharge (flow)2 of water into the Caloosahatchee River. "Lake Management Zones" comprise the background of the graphs; these zones are defined in the LOSOM. The health minimum and maximum define the optimum ranges for lake level and river flow.
1 As measured by SFWMD station "LAKEOKEE", which is a composite "pseudo-station" that reports the daily mean of eight elevation gages operated by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).
2 Mean daily flow of water from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River, as measured at the WP Franklin Lock, in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Loading interactive chart...
Loading interactive chart...
* The Lake Okeechobee Lake Stage Performance Measure indicates that an elevation of 10.25-14.25 feet supports healthy lake ecology.
** The Northern Estuaries Salinity Envelope Performance Measure indicates 750-2100 cubic feet per second supports healthy river and estuary ecology in the Caloosahatchee River. [Note: daily point is 14-day moving average of previous 14 days]
- Lake Stage (ft., NAVD88)
- Lake Okeechobeee Ecological Health Min/Max*
Lake Management Zones
- Zone A (High) - Lake deep; flood risk. Harmfully high discharges to estuaries likely, and lake ecology at great risk.
- Zone BC (Intermediate) - Lake deep; flood risk. Potential for harmfully high discharges to estuaries, and lake ecology at potential risk.
- Zone D (Low) - Lake generally in range for public safety, but water supply and environmental needs at risk. Releases needed for estuary health may or may not be provided.
- Water Shortage Management (WSM) Zone - Lake generally in range for public safety, but water supply and environmental needs at risk. Releases needed for water supply may or may not be provided.
- Flow Rate (cfs)
- Estuary Ecological Health Min/Max**
Supporting Material
- Lake Okeechobee Webpage (SFWMD)
- Current Lake Okeechobee Water Level (ACOE)
- Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) (ACOE)
- LOSOM Fact Sheet. Nov 2019 (ACOE)
- LOSOM Water Control Plan
- Lake Stage Performance Measure
- Lake Okeechobee and Vicinity Report (ACOE)
- History of Flushing Okeechobee Dates Back to 1800s (News-Press)
- Managing High Water Levels in Florida's Largest Lake: Lake Okeechobee (UF/IFAS)