Martin County businesses don t want Lake Okeechobee discharges
Congressman Brian Mast sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday asking him to get the Army Corps of Engineers to see firsthand the algae situation brewing in the area around Lake Okeechobee.
and last updated 2021-05-18 17:09:29-04
STUART, Fla. â Congressman Brian Mast sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday asking him to get the Army Corps of Engineers to see firsthand the algae situation brewing in the area around Lake Okeechobee.
The St. Lucie Lock remains closed.
The Army Corps said last week they hope they don t have to open the Lock until September keeping any potentially toxic algae from the St. Lucie Estuary.
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Army Corps adjusts Lake Okeechobee releases
By USACE - | May 14, 2021
USACE
W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Jacksonville District reported that it would reduce Lake Okeechobee releases at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) from the current 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1,500 cfs beginning on May 15.
The releases will also change from a steady flow to a pulse release to flush the lower end of the system, raise salinities and help combat the formation of algae.
As of today, the lake is at 13.61 feet, which is 0.26 feet lower than last week and 0.63 feet lower than 30 days ago. While the lake is still 2.53 feet higher than last year on the same date, current projections show it is possible the lake will be between 13-13.5 feet on June 1, a significantly lower level than January projections of 14.5 feet or higher at the start of rainy season.