The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will stop Lake Okeechobee discharges to the east and reduce releases to the west, according to the Corps.
“Drier conditions have meant we’ve been able to move water off the lake, and make it possible to reduce flows to the estuaries,” Lt. Col. Jennifer Reynolds, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander for South Florida, said in a statement.
“That includes a zero flow target for the St. Lucie, and a gradual transition down to 1,000 cubic feet per second for the Caloosahatchee over the next three weeks.”
The transition will begin Friday.
“We continue to monitor tropical activity, including a disturbance in the Gulf that could potentially bring additional rain to south Florida next week,” Reynolds added.
Runoff from rain could affect the reduction in water flowing from Lake Okeechobee.
Lake levels receded 0.25 feet the past week, according to the Corps which said Lake Okeechobee is currently 14.41 feet above sea level.
Lt. Col Jennifer Reynolds announces at WRAC meeting this morning Corps will stop Lake O discharges to the East and reduce releases to the West. I expect more info to come later today. @WPTV@FOX29WFLX
— Alex Hagan (@AlexHagan_WPTV) October 4, 2018