Corps adjusts releases to Caloosahatchee River
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Jacksonville District announced increased release targets at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) upon the onset of the dry season beginning on Oct. 29.
“USACE and our partners at the South Florida Water Management agree that increasing targets now will help maintain favorable salinities in the Caloosahatchee River Estuary, while continuing to conserve water in the lake,” it reported on Oct. 28.
Following the conclusion of Recovery Operations at the end of the 2024-25 dry season, the USACE conserved water in the lake to encourage the lake levels to rise slowly. Throughout the wet season, the minimum target at S-79 has been 250 cubic feet per second (cfs) and local basin runoff on the Caloosahatchee River has provided well over that amount. As of Oct. 11, the 2025-26 dry season had officially begun, and lake levels were just under 14 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD).
It reported that Recovery Operations facilitated the regrowth of submerged aquatic vegetation over of thousands of acres and improved water clarity in the lake. Conditions look suitable for continued growth of the plants and continued habitat improvement on Lake Okeechobee next year.
The USACE continues to assess system conditions and will draft an After-Action Report on Recovery Operations. More information about how to provide feedback on Recovery Operations for consideration in the report is forthcoming.
“Over the last couple of weeks, conditions have become much drier, especially to the west of Lake Okeechobee and dry weather is forecasted to continue,” it reported. “Freshwater deliveries to the Caloosahatchee River Estuary control salinity, which is vital to the area’s ecology.”
To maintain favorable salinities in the Caloosahatchee River Estuary, while continuing to conserve water in the lake, the USACE will implement the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)’s recommendation and increase the minimum targets at S-79 to 350 cfs. If basin flows in the river fall below 350 cfs, Lake Okeechobee water will be used to maintain the 350 cfs in the river.
It added that it will continue to assess conditions throughout the dry season, coordinate with partners and stakeholders, and make adjustments to targets as necessary.