Lake Okeechobee discharges 'killing' St. Lucie Estuary, Florida Oceanographic Society director says

 

Mark Perry, the longtime executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society, has spent his adult life trying to protect the waters of the St. Lucie River Estuary.

Lake Okeechobee releases suspected in nontoxic algae bloom in Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno

The state confirmed a nontoxic algae bloom in Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno on Jan. 2.

A prime suspect is Lake Okeechobee discharges that started a month ago, which floods the brackish St. Lucie River with freshwater and nutrients that feed algae, said Mark Perry, executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart. Perry has asked the Department of Environmental Protection to do more tests to prove him right or wrong.

Another 5.43 billion gallons of Lake O water headed for St. Lucie River this week

Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River will continue as water managers aim to lower the lake level to save lake plants that are drowning in too much water from four years of heavy rains in the summer wet season.

Lake Okeechobee releases began Saturday; are they necessary?

Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River began Saturday as water managers aim to lower the lake level to save lake plants that are drowning in too much water from four years of heavy rains in the summer wet season.

What's the latest on Lake Okeechobee water management?

With the end of the wet season, Florida Oceanographic Society Executive Director Mark Perry discusses the health of the St. Lucie Estuary, Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee.

Water releases from Lake Okeechobee to begin Dec. 7 as groups plea to 'halt these operations'

WPTV reporter Cassandra Garcia learned Thursday that the Army Corps of Engineers will begin water releases from Lake Okeechobee next month, setting off another round of concerns from residents and environmental groups.

Water quality poor in estuaries despite no discharges from Lake Okeechobee, expert says

D–minus. That’s the overall water quality score right now in Florida Oceanographic Society's Weekly Water Quality Report on the St. Lucie Estuary and the Southern Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.

Treasure Coast environmentalists excited about new Lake Okeechobee discharge schedule

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ new Lake Okeechobee water release schedule went into effect on Monday after years of the Corps working with local agencies and other stakeholders to create the new plan. The new discharge schedule is called The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual.

Army Corps finally signs historic new Lake O management plan

The new plan to regulate Lake Okeechobee’s level and curb harmful discharges to the St. Lucie River took effect Monday after five years of work, officials announced Tuesday.

Billions of Gallons of Freshwater Are Dumped at Florida’s Coasts. Environmentalists Want That Water in the Everglades

Environmental groups want to use engineered wetlands to help replenish the river of grass and address toxic algae. The state’s politically powerful sugar growers say those wetlands are for their own polluted water.

Is wet weather in South Florida impacting Lake Okeechobee water levels?

The rain has been coming down all throughout the Sunshine State, so what impact will that have water levels at Lake Okeechobee?

Why new way to measure Lake Okeechobee levels may be confusing

Out at Lake Okeechobee, there is visible blue-green algae on both the lake side and canal side of the Port Mayaca Lock.

Army Corps of Engineers releases new water management plan for Lake Okeechobee

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced an updated schedule for releasing water from Lake Okeechobee, focusing on environmental impacts and downstream effects.

Environmental groups, Stuart to request EPA to intervene in clean water efforts

The biggest takeaway from Thursday's Rivers Coalition meeting was an announcement that five environmental groups and the city of Stuart will submit a formal request to the Environmental Protection Agency asking them to intervene in Florida’s water management efforts.

Letter to the Editor: Storm Season Means Lake Discharges

Many remember the “Lost Summers” of 2013, 2016 and 2018, when serious algal blooms caused severe economic repercussions.

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.