Less water released from Lake Okeechobee in South Florida
5/5/2025 4:36:26 PM
CATEGORIES:
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Glades County, FL
Hendry County, FL
Lee County, FL
Martin County, FL
Okeechobee County, FL
Palm Beach County, FL
Start Date: 5/3/2025
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Lake Okeechobee releases were reduced on May 3 due to drought conditions. With less freshwater flowing down the Caloosahatchee River, the estuary was becoming saltier, and saltwater was moving upriver. The higher salinity can damage tape grass, disrupt fish nurseries, and hurt oysters during the spawning season.
WFTX (Cape Coral, Fla.), May 2, 2025
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