Maritime structure marks 100 years in existence, so why is no one celebrating?

For the past two weeks, the St. Lucie Lock and Dam in Martin County has been quiet as there has been a pause in freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Eastbound discharges from Lake Okeechobee are over, Army Corps says

Last week, officials announced a two week pause in eastbound discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

2-week pause in Lake Okeechobee discharges is 'woefully inefficient,' US Rep. Brian Mast says

For the second time this month, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., has sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the ongoing discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Water releases from Lake Okeechobee to continue through March 29

Water releases from the lake will continue through March 29 followed by a two-week break. However, environmentalists said it is not enough time for the fragile St. Lucie Estuary and its marine fisheries to recover.

Army Corps will continue Lake O releases despite algae found in St. Lucie River

Lake Okeechobee discharges have not sparked toxic algae blooms in the St. Lucie River yet, but Treasure Coast scientists, residents and business owners are worried about the impending possibility.

Treasure Coast residents rail against Lake Okeechobee discharges at Rivers Coalition

Treasure Coast residents railed against Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River in Stuart Thursday during the River Coalition’s monthly meeting.

'It impacts our health': Treasure Coast residents voice worries as discharges from Lake Okeechobee continue

Concern over water releases from Lake Okeechobee was front and center Thursday at a Rivers Coalition meeting.

Army Corps attends public meeting in Stuart, discusses Lake O discharges with residents

Lake Okeechobee discharges have started, and people who live in communities near the impacted waterways are not so happy.

Environmental experts respond to Lake Okeechobee discharge into Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun releasing water from Lake Okeechobee after citing higher-than-average water levels from El Niño conditions. Many local environmental experts say they are worried.

Massive Lake Okeechobee discharges to come this weekend, officials announce

This weekend, the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is going to begin a massive release of water from Lake Okeechobee for the first time in months.

El Niño rains to blame for Lake Okeechobee water sent to the St. Lucie River, Stuart

Lake Okeechobee water will start pouring into the St. Lucie River on Saturday.

Environmentalists warn of impacts ahead of Lake Okeechobee discharges

Residents along Florida's east coast are bracing for the floodgates, which hold back water from Lake Okeechobee, to open Saturday. 

Lake Okeechobee discharges coming Saturday; Army Corps says lake too high

The Army Corps of Engineers will begin discharging water from a swollen Lake Okeechobee on Saturday.

What would discharges mean for Martin County?

People in and around Martin County are anxiously awaiting whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will announce discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Estuary.

Army Corps of Engineers considering discharges from Lake Okeechobee to St. Lucie Estuary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering "different release scenarios" of discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Estuary ahead of the wet and hurricane seasons.

Environmental leaders meet in Martin County to discuss 'imminent' Lake O discharges

Mark Perry, Florida Oceanographic Society Executive Director & CEO, discusses Lake Okeechobee water management with Steve Davis, Everglades Foundation chief science officer, at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Martin County. 

 

Port Mayaca Lock and Dam shutting down in response to toxic algae photos

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is adjusting its water release schedule at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam (S-308) in Martin County after receiving aerial images showing a thin ribbon of algal mass moving towards the gate Monday.

'Surprised to see it this early': Toxic blue-green algae found in Lake Okeechobee during winter

Environmentalists are keeping an eye on local waterways now that harmful blue green algal toxins have been spotted in Lake Okeechobee, especially in parts of Martin County.

Mast’s bill takes aim at Lake O discharges

The Treasure Coast’s congressman introduced a bill Wednesday requiring a multiyear roadmap to end Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal estuaries, which are often a vehicle for toxic algae and ecological destruction.

Starving manatees will face another rough winter next season

When manatees on Florida's east coast gather next winter, they're likely to face another season of starvation.

Revised SB 2508’s impact on river, lagoon weighed

The most contentious environment bill of this year’s legislative session is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. 

DEP will expedite seagrass-planting permits to help manatees

Florida will make it easier and faster to plant seagrasses, the main food source for manatees that are dying in record numbers, according to a Treasure Coast lawmaker.

South Florida environmentalists react to SB 2508

Lawmakers amended a controversial water bill this week after several people, including Governor Ron DeSantis, voiced opposition.

2021 was a record year for Florida manatee deaths. Here are 5 ways you can help sea cows

More Florida manatees died in 2021 than any other year, most of them from starving, and many readers have asked TCPalm: How can I help? 

Florida and federal wildlife officials team with FPL in plans to aid manatees

Wildlife officials, now teaming with the state’s largest electric utility, have approved an unusual step of feeding manatees that face another winter of limited food supplies in Florida waters.

Opening of C-44 reservoir celebrated

A milestone moment as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the C-44 canal reservoir Friday.

Oysters in St. Lucie Estuary starting to see reprieve from freshwater runoff discharges

For the first time since August, oysters are finally getting some reprieve from the recent deluge of rainfall runoff. 

Seagrass beds are starting to revive along the Indian River Lagoon; but for how long?

Don't cue the ticker-tape parade quite yet, but seagrass is starting to make a comeback in the Indian River Lagoon along the Treasure Coast and Space Coast.

U.S. Sugar Corp. vs. Army Corps: Who's right about operating Lake Okeechobee levels?

The Army Corps of Engineers is "rolling the dice" with water South Florida depends on by lowering Lake Okeechobee, the U.S. Sugar Corp. says.

Despite Dorian, Army Corps won't start Lake Okeechobee discharges to St. Lucie River yet

Less rainfall than expected from Hurricane Dorian plus efforts to keep Lake Okeechobee low add up to no discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.