‘Slow the flow’ into Lake Okeechobee to reduce discharges

In July, residents from both the east and west coasts of Florida met in Clewiston to express their frustrations with water releases from Lake Okeechobee. Much like myself, coastal residents are passionate about their homes and their waterways. We do not want to see toxic algae anywhere — not on the coasts, and especially not in Lake Okeechobee.

Slow the flow. Let it grow. Protect Lake O; Lake Okeechobee area residents fight for clean water

CLEWISTON — A rally planned by coastal residents to protest releases from Lake Okeechobee on Saturday took a sweet turn when lake area residents turned out to greet the coastal visitors and asked them to join in the fight to save Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades.

#SlowTheFlow Protect Lake O rally held Saturday

In the summer of 2018, blue-green algae, measuring at toxic levels in some places, has returned to both coasts of Florida.

Concerned communities converge in Clewiston

County Road 74 spans 42 miles from Punta Gorda into the sprawling wide open of central Florida. It’s not often heavily trafficked.

But Saturday morning, a caravan of more than 40 cars trekked from Laishley Park in Punta Gorda across 74, through Moore Haven, to the Clewiston Boat Ramp to make a stand for clean water.

Read more from Fort-Myers Beach Talk.com

Higher Lake Okeechobee levels could impact vegetation

High Lake Okeechobee levels is a bad scenario for safety, but also the ecology of the lake.

There’s concern with the U.S. Army Corps temporarily stopping discharges that the lake will suffer even more.

Sending Lake O water south isn’t the solution

Captain Daniel Andrews is right that water is Florida’s most valuable resource. Anyone that has spent a hot summer afternoon in the Sunshine State knows how precious water can be, whether it’s for drinking, recreating, or fishing. In the Glades Communities, thousands of families rely on a healthy Lake Okeechobee for fishing and boating.