The “Update on Lake Okeechobee Releases” email has changed to “Update on South Florida’s High Water Conditions.” To read more about current operations, visit the District’s website here.

Water Levels in Key South Florida Water Bodies

1. Lake Okeechobee: 16.00 ft, 1.55 ft above baseflow
2. WCA 2A: 13.76 ft, 1.80 ft above harmful conditions
3. WCA 3A: 12.43 ft, 1.93 ft above harmful conditions

South Florida experienced significant amounts of rainfall during the annual “wet season” and many water bodies are now full and holding excess water. People, wildlife and the environment all depend on the right balance of water levels in South Florida, especially in Lake Okeechobee and Water Conservation Areas 2A and 3A.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the primary agency responsible for managing Lake Okeechobee. They are reducing the level in Lake Okeechobee, Florida’s largest lake, by discharging water from the lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries. Discharges from the lake reduce the lake’s water level but can also negatively impact the ecology of estuaries.  Water levels downstream of Lake Okeechobee are so high that significant volumes of water can no longer be sent south from the lake.

The Water Conservation Areas, sometimes called the “Central Everglades,” are managed by the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They are important wetlands that help move water south. The current high water levels in the flooded Water Conservation Areas impact wildlife habitat and people who depend on the right water levels in these wetlands.

SFWMD Actions to Reduce High Water Levels

1. Holding water in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and away from Lake Okeechobee.
2. Fully utilizing all water storage projects to keep water away from Lake Okeechobee including dispersed water management features.
3. Maintaining higher water levels in Stormwater Treatment Areas and away from the Water Conservation Areas. 
4. Keeping all available outlet structures open to send water south and out of flooded Water Conservation Areas.
5. Utilizing 6 high volume temporary pumps to move water out of Water Conservation Areas.
6. Coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to send more water out of Water Conservation Areas.
7. Preparing to launch a project to install additional infrastructure to mitigate flooding in the Las Palmas Community and increase flows of water south out of Water Conservation Area.
8. Advancing long-term Everglades restoration projects to improve water management in South Florida.

The annual wet season in South Florida is over. The District is working to get water levels under control and prepare South Florida for the upcoming dry season and future wet seasons. Get more details on current operations.

Learn More About Long-Term Projects to Improve Water Management in South Florida

The South Florida Water Management District remains committed to advancing Everglades restoration projects, like the EAA Reservoir Project, to improve water levels in the Everglades. Learn more here.

To sign up for regular daily updates on Lake Okeechobee discharges, visit our email signup page. Enter your email address and check the “High Water Conditions, including Lake Okeechobee Discharges” box.

Note: All data provided in this update are provisional and subject to quality assurance and quality control review. Water levels (“elevations”) are reported in NGVD29, a scientific measurement of the level of water in comparison to sea level. Flows are reported in cubic feet per second (cfs).

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida's water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region's water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders.