SCCF asks Army Corps to increase lake flows
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that on May 2, Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Jacksonville District, urging it to restore optimal flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee Estuary until more rainfall is received.
During the dry season, the Caloosahatchee requires freshwater flows of at least 750 cubic feet per second (cfs) to maintain the right salinities for species like oysters and seagrass. The Army Corps reduced Lake Okeechobee flows to the Franklin Lock & Dam (S-79) to 650 cfs in mid-April and releases were lowered again on May 2 to 500 cfs.
The SCCF reported that because there is little to no precipitation this time of year, releases from the lake are the estuary’s main source of freshwater.
“As the end of dry season nears, we urge you to thoughtfully consider the delicate salinity balance required in the Caloosahatchee Estuary for oyster spawning to be successful, and to ensure the survival of critical species with specific salinity tolerances,” DePaolis wrote. “Data collected at Shell Point the week of April 15, following a lowered pulse schedule to a 650 cfs target, reflected a weekly average salinity of 29 practical salinity units (psu). The optimum salinity envelope for oysters as outlined in RECOVER 2020 metrics is 10-25 psu, meaning salinities quickly surpassed this target range following the revised flow schedule.”
With oyster spawning season already underway, he asked the Army Corps to consider restoring lake flows to optimum flow levels.
“We urge water managers to consider the delicate balance the Caloosahatchee Estuary relies upon when managing S-79’s flow schedule and the harmful effects elevated salinities will have on dependent species and communities for generations,” DePaolis wrote.
The SCCF reported that once online this summer, the C-43 Reservoir will lessen the estuary’s dependence on lake flows during the dry season. The reservoir will store excess water when the lake flows are too high and can release that water when flows are too low.
To read DePaolis’ comments submitted to the Army Corps, visit https://sccf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SCCF-May-release-cutback-comments.pdf.
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