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Lake Okeechobee discharges stopped at St. Lucie Lock

Posted at 5:51 AM, Jul 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-24 11:37:32-04

Water from Lake Okeechobee stopped flowing Tuesday morning out of the St. Lucie Lock and Dam, and it will stay that way for at least three days.

Despite opposition from people who live and work on Treasure Coast waterways, those outflows began again July 13.

Bright blue patches of decaying algae have now begun to float on top of the water at locations along the St. Lucie River. The first signs of algae are also being reported in the Indian River Lagoon as well.

The Army Corps of Engineers maintains it was necessary to resume the discharges to protect people and the dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee. 

The Corps typically announces the schedule for future discharges on Thursdays. WPTV will pass that information along once it becomes available.