Army Corps will continue Lake O releases despite algae found in St. Lucie River

Lake Okeechobee discharges have not sparked toxic algae blooms in the St. Lucie River yet, but Treasure Coast scientists, residents and business owners are worried about the impending possibility.

Treasure Coast residents rail against Lake Okeechobee discharges at Rivers Coalition

Treasure Coast residents railed against Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River in Stuart Thursday during the River Coalition’s monthly meeting.

'It impacts our health': Treasure Coast residents voice worries as discharges from Lake Okeechobee continue

Concern over water releases from Lake Okeechobee was front and center Thursday at a Rivers Coalition meeting.

Army Corps attends public meeting in Stuart, discusses Lake O discharges with residents

Lake Okeechobee discharges have started, and people who live in communities near the impacted waterways are not so happy.

Environmental experts respond to Lake Okeechobee discharge into Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun releasing water from Lake Okeechobee after citing higher-than-average water levels from El Niño conditions. Many local environmental experts say they are worried.

Massive Lake Okeechobee discharges to come this weekend, officials announce

This weekend, the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is going to begin a massive release of water from Lake Okeechobee for the first time in months.

El Niño rains to blame for Lake Okeechobee water sent to the St. Lucie River, Stuart

Lake Okeechobee water will start pouring into the St. Lucie River on Saturday.

Environmentalists warn of impacts ahead of Lake Okeechobee discharges

Residents along Florida's east coast are bracing for the floodgates, which hold back water from Lake Okeechobee, to open Saturday. 

Lake Okeechobee discharges coming Saturday; Army Corps says lake too high

The Army Corps of Engineers will begin discharging water from a swollen Lake Okeechobee on Saturday.

What would discharges mean for Martin County?

People in and around Martin County are anxiously awaiting whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will announce discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Estuary.

Army Corps of Engineers considering discharges from Lake Okeechobee to St. Lucie Estuary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering "different release scenarios" of discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Estuary ahead of the wet and hurricane seasons.

Environmental leaders meet in Martin County to discuss 'imminent' Lake O discharges

Mark Perry, Florida Oceanographic Society Executive Director & CEO, discusses Lake Okeechobee water management with Steve Davis, Everglades Foundation chief science officer, at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Martin County. 

 

Reaffirming the Need to Restore the Everglades in Memory of the 'Lost Summer'

Environmental Groups gathered in Stuart Tuesday, July 25th, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of what has come to be known as the ‘Lost Summer’, a series of devastating algae blooms that left south Florida residents stunned and spurred renewed efforts to restore the Everglades.

Environmentalists hopeful Herbert Hoover Dike repairs will bring improved water quality for Treasure Coast

While the completion of the rehab at the Herbert Hoover Dike brings peace of mind to thousands of residents around the lake, there's also hope for some environmental relief on the Treasure Coast. But that could still be months away.

Discharges from Lake Okeechobee to head to St. Lucie River

The US Army Corps of Engineers announced that discharges from Lake Okeechobee will be heading to the St. Lucie River, after the action was recommended by the South Florida Water Management District.

Mast’s bill takes aim at Lake O discharges

The Treasure Coast’s congressman introduced a bill Wednesday requiring a multiyear roadmap to end Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal estuaries, which are often a vehicle for toxic algae and ecological destruction.

Revised SB 2508’s impact on river, lagoon weighed

The most contentious environment bill of this year’s legislative session is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. 

South Florida environmentalists react to SB 2508

Lawmakers amended a controversial water bill this week after several people, including Governor Ron DeSantis, voiced opposition.

SFWMD wants more say when Lake Okeechobee level drops, but environmentalists are worried

Clean-water advocates lost the war for zero discharges to the St. Lucie River in the new plan being written to manage Lake Okeechobee’s water level for the next decade. Now they fear a new state proposal threatens the battle they did win: a nearly 40% reduction in Lake O discharges.

Opening of C-44 reservoir celebrated

A milestone moment as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the C-44 canal reservoir Friday.

U.S. Sugar Corp. vs. Army Corps: Who's right about operating Lake Okeechobee levels?

The Army Corps of Engineers is "rolling the dice" with water South Florida depends on by lowering Lake Okeechobee, the U.S. Sugar Corp. says.

Despite Dorian, Army Corps won't start Lake Okeechobee discharges to St. Lucie River yet

Less rainfall than expected from Hurricane Dorian plus efforts to keep Lake Okeechobee low add up to no discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

Now is time for courageous leadership by water management officials

This is a pivotal moment in our longstanding fight for clean water. 

Dirty water update: High bacteria on beaches, algae in Fort Pierce, dead clams in Palm City

Bacteria, algae and — believe it or not — millions of dead clams: It's all in the water along the Treasure Coast; and it's all nasty.

Algae at a marina in Fort Pierce being tested

"Even if this isn’t a harmful type of algae, the amount of fresh water pouring into our estuary is a big concern," said Dr. Zack Jud with the Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart.

Could blue-green algae be creeping into Treasure Coast waters without Lake O discharges?

Is blue-green algae starting to creep into Treasure Coast waters without Lake Okeechobee discharges? 

Mark Perry Gives Lake Okeechobee Background on the KC Ingram Show

WSTU interviewed Mark Perry on the KC Ingram Show on the history of Lake Okeechobee discharges and their current effect on the environment.

South Florida Water Management District: Extra sampling can track, prevent algae blooms

TCPalm covers the South Florida Water Management District's dramatic expansion in its water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee and interviews Mark Perry.

Blue-Green Algae Task Force: Focus should be on preventing, not removing toxic blooms

TCPalm covers the Florida Blue-Green Algae Task Force meeting and several members of the public who addressed them, and interviews Mark Perry and Gary Goforth.

US Army Corps pumps canal water back into Lake Okeechobee

TCPalm covers the canal that connects Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie estuaries has reached an alarming high, making for concern as heavy rain is projected for the weekend forecast and interviews Mark Perry.