Lake Okeechobee Water Level History

In 2013 heavy rains in central florida resulted in high runoff into the lake.

Lake okeechobee water level history. Army corps of engineers regulates and reports the official daily water levels of lake okeechobee and these major water bodies and areas within the south florida water management district. With a surface area of 730 square miles it is the largest lake in the southeastern united states. Beneficial results with water levels maintained below 15 5 the regulation schedule for the lake from 1951 to 1978 had a high level objective of 15 5 feet ngvd trimble and marban 1988. Current lake level is.

The normal water levels on the lake in the winter time range in the 14 16 feet above sea level. Lake okeechobee received almost a 4 feet 1 2 m increase in water level including local run off from the tributaries. Levels were lowered primarily via the only available outlets to coastal estuaries. Lake okeechobee kissimmee river basin everglades water conservation area 1 loxahatchee national wildlife refuge.

Rising lake levels forced the coe army corps of engineers to release large volumes of polluted water from the lake through the st. Lake okeechobee waterways have been in the news a lot recently. The normal water level on lake okeechobee in the summer months range in the 12 15 feet above sea level. Lucie river estuary to the east and the caloosahatchee river estuary to the west.

Lake okeechobee means big water in the seminole indian language an appropriate name for a water body whose opposite shore can t be seen from the water s edge. This level is roughly the same as the highest ground elevations within the hhd and water levels of 15 5 feet flood virtually the entire marsh. Lake okeechobee and its wetlands are at the center of a much larger watershed the greater everglades that stretches from the kissimmee river. In 2004 lake levels increased to a very high elevation after four hurricanes passed over south florida.

1 2000 to mar. Despite its impressive size the lake is shallow with an average depth of only 9 feet. Four water stage recorders at various locations around the lake. 14 2001 ten water stage recorders at various locations around the rim of the lake.

See wdr fl 00 1a for history of changes prior to oct. Water level of florida s lake okeechobee between january 2016 and september 28 2017 compared to historical levels from 1931 2016. Army corps of engineers. The main reason of water levels in lake okeechobee rising is caused from the run off from rain in the kissimmee valley.

The army corps tries to keep the lake level below 15 5.