Lake O is High at the Start of Hurricane Season and Why that Matters

Lake Okeechobee is more than a foot above its target level at this time of year, and heavy rains have fallen across much of the state in recent days.

The big question for the Fort Myers-Cape Coral-Sanibel area is: will we see heavy releases when there’s a toxin blue-green algae bloom on Okeechobee?

“I would be concerned if we get heavy releases, but it depends on the rainfall,” said Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani. “It’s up to Mother Nature pretty much.”

Researchers have already documented evidence of a blue-green algae bloom near Beautiful Island in the Caloosahatchee River, and water advocates like Cassani fear Lake O water could help fuel that outbreak.