Updated 2026-09-21
09:01:50.351894
This webpage is intended to inform Agency representatives on stage
elevation in Lake Okeechobee, and the status and condition of the
Caloosahatchee Estuary, St. Lucie Estuary, and Florida Bay.
Please note that this analysis is using preliminary data
and is subject to change.
* This report uses the National Geodetic
Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) to report water elevations. Reporting
will shift soon to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988
(NAVD88).
Lake Okeechobee Stage Elevation
- As of 09/20/2026 the mean stage elevation in Lake
Okeechobee is Management Band at a stage elevation of 11.62 feet
(NGVD29).
- The 7-day recession/ascension rate of Lake Okeechobee for 09/20/2026
is 0.26 feet per 7-day period (NOTE: negative values indicate
falling water levels (recession) and positive values indicate raising
water level (ascension)). Recession/ascension rates
calculation based on the change in water level over a 7-day
period.
- The 30-day recession/ascension rate of Lake Okeechobee for
09/20/2026 is 0.73 feet per 30-day period (NOTE: negative values
indicate falling water levels (recession) and positive values indicate
raising water level (ascension)). Recession/ascension rates
calculation based on the change in water level over a 30-day
period.
Lake Okeechobee daily average stage elevation for WY2027
(red line) and WY2026
(blue line) relative to the Lake Okeechobee
System Operating Manual (LOSOM) regulation schedule zones. Note that
prior to August 13, 2024 Lake Okeechobee was operating under the Lake
Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS). (Data Source: SFWMD).
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Lake Okeechobee daily average stage elevation for the last 30-days
(red line) relative to the Lake Okeechobee
System Operating Manual (LOSOM) regulation schedule zones. Note that
prior to August 13, 2024 Lake Okeechobee was operating under the Lake
Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS).
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Lake Okeechobee 7-day water level recession/ascension rates during
WY2027. The red-point identifies the recession/ascension rate for the
period of 09/13/2026 - 09/20/2026. Negative values indicate falling
water level (recession) and positive values indicate raising water level
(ascension) during this 7-day period.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Lake Okeechobee Relative Algae
Condition
Sonde monitoring locations within Lake Okeechobee conducted by SFWMD.
Daily Chlorophyll, Phycocyanin, relative ratio of Phycocyanin (Phyco)
relative to Phyco and Chlorophyll (Chl) and Turbidity within Lake
Okeechobee monitored by SFWMD. Chlorophyll and Phycocyanin are plotted
on log-scale. Thresholds of concern/risk identified for Chlorophyll (20
and 40 μg/L) and Phycocyanin (40 μg/L; Cotterill et al. 2019 &
Macário et al. 2015).
Data are provisional and subject to change.
-
Cotterill et al. (2019). Phycocyanin sensors as an early warning system
for cyanobacteria blooms concentrations: A case study in the Rotorua
lakes. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research,
53:555–570.
-
Macário et al. (2015). New insights towards the establishment of
phycocyanin concentration thresholds considering species-specific
variability of bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Hydrobiologia,
757:155–165.
Precipitation
District Wide Precipitation Forecast for 09/22/2026. (Data Source: SFWMD).
District Wide Precipitation from 09/20/2026 to 09/21/2026. (Data Source:
SFWMD).
NOAA official 30-day precipitation forecasts. (Data Source: NOAA).
NOAA official 3-month precipitation forecasts for Sep-Oct-Nov 2026.
(Data Source: NOAA).
Flow and Salinity Data for the C-43/Caloosahatchee River
and Estuary
Daily average salinity data for the last 14-days from sampling locations
within the tidal Caloosahatchee River Estuary relative to oyster health
(Sanibel, Shell Point and Cape Coral) and tape grass (Vallisneria
americana) health (Ft. Myers only) conditions.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Moving 7-day average salinity observed at the Cape Coral, Shell Point
and Sanibel salinity monitoring stations relative to Oyster salinity
health conditions.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Top: Daily relative fluorescence Chlorophyll and Phycocyanin observed at
the floating sensor buoy at S-79 monitoring by USGS. Bottom: The
relative ratio of Phycocyanin (Phyco) relative to Phyco and Chlorophyll
(Chl).
Data are provisional and subject to change.
S-77 (from Lake Okeechobee) and S-79 (to Tidal Basin) flow data along
the C-43 and Caloosahatchee River. C-43 Basin Flow was calculated as the
difference from S-77 and S-79. Data Source: USGS.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Flow and Salinity Data for the C-44/St. Lucie River and
Estuary
Daily average salinity data for the last 14-days from sampling locations
within the St. Lucie Estuary relative to oyster health conditions.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Moving 7-day average salinity observed at the US1, A1A and North Fork
(HR1) salinity monitoring stations relative to Oyster salinity health
conditions in the St. Lucie estuary.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Left:S-80 (to Tidal Basin), S-308 (from Lake Okeechobee) and C-44 Basin
flows (calculated as the difference from S-308 and S-80). Right: Gordy
Road (from Ten-Mile Creek Basin), S-49 (from C-24 Basin) and S-48 (from
C-23 Basin) flows. Data Source: SFWMD.
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Salinity Data for Florida Bay
Daily average salinity data for the last 14-days from select sampling
locations within Florida Bay. (Data Source: SFWMD).
Data are provisional and subject to change.
Monitoring Locations and Data Sources
Monitoring locations for Lake Okeechobee stage elevation and estuary
salinity tracking.
FDEP
Office of Water Policy and Ecosystems Restoration