On September 23, Lake Okeechobee’s water level rose to 11 feet for the first time this summer. Reaching the eleven foot mark is significant for Lake Okeechobee in a legal sense. The Florida Legislature established a law to protect water resources from significant harm related to low water, called Minimum Flow and Levels (MFLs). The Lake Okeechobee MFL requires that water levels in Lake Okeechobee should not fall below 11 feet for more than 80 days more than once every six years. During the 2011 dry season, the Lake Okeechobee passed this threshold for the second time in four years and the MFL was in violation for the first time in history.  The Lake, its wildlife, and the tourism economy suffered greatly.

In a typical year, the ecological goal for Lake Okeechobee is 12-12.5 feet at the end of the dry season (May/June), and 15-15.5 feet at the end of the wet season (September/October).  Barring a very wet late-season tropical system, the Lake will remain far below desired levels until next summer and through the upcoming Everglade Snail Kite nesting season.

At 11 feet, the Lake floods only about 10% of its marsh.  During the dry season we can expect the Lake to drop at least two more feet. This is significant because at about 10.5 feet last year, Snail Kites started abandoning nests and leaving the lake.  And dropping to 9 feet or lower would dry almost all vegetated areas and probably eliminate apple snail populations for several years, as happened after the 2001 and 2007-08 droughts.

Audubon is working closely with state and federal agencies, agricultural stakeholders, and our conservation allies to prepare for the possibility of extremely low water levels next dry season. We strive to promote policies that balance the needs of humans with the needs of our precious environment. But we cannot do it without our supporters. Please stay tuned to this website for updates.