Lake Okeechobee is not the only body of water getting lower this dry season.

The 2024/2025 dry season has brought lower than average dry season rainfall, and hot temperatures have increased water loss from evapotranspiration.

December 2024 through March 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released Lake O water to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers in an attempt to bring the lake level down to "recovery" level for the lake's ecosystem. The lake needs at least 90 days below 12 feet (above sea level) or 60 days below 11.5 feet to allow sunlight to reach the lake bottom and new submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) to sprout.  SAV filters the lake water and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. At the end of March, USACE cut off releases to the St. Lucie River (through the St. Lucie Lock) and reduced releases to the Caloosahatchee. The Caloosahatchee River needs some freshwater flow from the lake during the dry season to prevent saltwater intrusion.

Evapotranspiration – a combination of evaporation and plant transpiration – continues to move water out of the lakes, rivers and canals.

On April 14, with water in the C-44 canal slightly lower than the level of Lake Okeechobee, the gates at Port Mayaca were open to allow lake water to flow into the canal for navigation and water supply.

The lake level was 12.08 feet above sea level. The tailwater elevation at the S-308 water control structure was 11.95 feet.

Low lake levels mean boaters traveling the Lake Okeechobee waterway should use caution and be aware of low water levels and submerged objects.

On April 14, the navigation depth for Route 1 of the Lake Okeechobee Waterway was 6.02 feet. The navigation depth for Route 2 of the Lake Okeechobee Waterway was 4.22 feet.

The following locks will be completely closed to navigation 24 hours a day/7 days a week:

• The S-135 Boat Lock at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County,
• The G-36 Boat Lock on Henry Creek in Okeechobee County,
• The S-127 Boat Lock at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County,
• The S-131 Boat Lock at Lakeport in Glades County.

The S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

If the lake levels reach 11 feet NGVD or 9.70 feet NAVD, the S-193 Boat Lock will also be completely closed until specific water levels are met. 

Water levels are also low in the Kissimmee River. Flow into the river from Lake Kissimmee is about 300 cubic feet per second (cfs). The river needs a minimum of 1,400 cfs to inundate the flood plain. 

KISSIMMEE RIVER -- Discoloration of tree trunks on the bank of the Kissimmee River show the high water line in this photo taken April 12, 2025. [Photo by Katrina Elsken/Lake Okeechobee News]

Katrina Elsken