JACKSONVILLE -- On Sept. 30, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District announced adjusted release targets at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79). Flows through the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam (S-79) will rely on basin runoff and will not be supplemented with Lake Okeechobee water in order to stabilize stressful salinity conditions in the Caloosahatchee River Estuary. In anticipation of increased rainfall in the upcoming dry season, USACE and our partners at the South Florida Water Management District expect that decreasing targets now and relying on local basin runoff will facilitate favorable salinities in the Estuary.  

Recently, local basin runoff delivered harmful flows along the Caloosahatchee River without receiving water from Lake Okeechobee. However, the C-43 Reservoir has provided relief. The dry season typically begins in mid-October and with a strong El Niño climate outlook we are forecasting increased rainfall throughout the dry season.

USACE will continue to assess conditions throughout the dry season, coordinate with our partners and stakeholders and communicate any adjustments to release targets.