U.S. Army Corps of Engineers addresses challenges from Lake Okeechobee releases

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers responds to calls to reduce freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee. COURTESY PHOTO

As the USACE (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers) works through the effects of a strong El Niño climate pattern throughout the South Florida area, we want our partners and stakeholders to know that we are here, and we are listening. As we strive to balance equally important interests, we continue to encourage our partners and stakeholders to make their voices heard.

We began releases from Lake Okeechobee on Feb. 17 when seasonal conditions are normally dry and water levels are expected to recede. These lake releases helped start the normal winter/ springtime recession on the lake. Water levels must continue to come down before the beginning of both the wet season and the Atlantic hurricane season, good for both the ecology of the Lake and the safety of the citizens in the communities around the lake. Lower lake water levels provide flood risk management as well as decrease the probability of large releases occurring during the summer, which is also the peak of algal bloom season.

We understand the current lake releases are stressful for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries and adjacent communities. We know from our consistent engagement with stakeholders that water quality remains one of your significant concerns. As such, it is also one of the principal considerations integrated into our decision-making as we strive to balance the multiple project purposes for Lake Okeechobee water management. ¦

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