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.
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.
Maritime structure marks 100 years in existence, so why is no one celebrating?
For the past two weeks, the St. Lucie Lock and Dam in Martin County has been quiet as there has been a pause in freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
Eastbound discharges from Lake Okeechobee are over, Army Corps says
Last week, officials announced a two week pause in eastbound discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
2-week pause in Lake Okeechobee discharges is 'woefully inefficient,' US Rep. Brian Mast says
For the second time this month, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., has sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the ongoing discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
Water releases from Lake Okeechobee to continue through March 29
Water releases from the lake will continue through March 29 followed by a two-week break. However, environmentalists said it is not enough time for the fragile St. Lucie Estuary and its marine fisheries to recover.
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.
Port Mayaca Lock and Dam shutting down in response to toxic algae photos
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is adjusting its water release schedule at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam (S-308) in Martin County after receiving aerial images showing a thin ribbon of algal mass moving towards the gate Monday.
'Surprised to see it this early': Toxic blue-green algae found in Lake Okeechobee during winter
Environmentalists are keeping an eye on local waterways now that harmful blue green algal toxins have been spotted in Lake Okeechobee, especially in parts of Martin County.
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.
Starving manatees will face another rough winter next season
When manatees on Florida's east coast gather next winter, they're likely to face another season of starvation.
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.
DEP will expedite seagrass-planting permits to help manatees
Florida will make it easier and faster to plant seagrasses, the main food source for manatees that are dying in record numbers, according to a Treasure Coast lawmaker.
South Florida environmentalists react to SB 2508
Lawmakers amended a controversial water bill this week after several people, including Governor Ron DeSantis, voiced opposition.
2021 was a record year for Florida manatee deaths. Here are 5 ways you can help sea cows
More Florida manatees died in 2021 than any other year, most of them from starving, and many readers have asked TCPalm: How can I help?
Florida and federal wildlife officials team with FPL in plans to aid manatees
Wildlife officials, now teaming with the state’s largest electric utility, have approved an unusual step of feeding manatees that face another winter of limited food supplies in Florida waters.
