US Army Corps to continue Lake Okeechobee discharges

STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — One day before the end of 21 days of discharges, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decided to continue the discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River.

The lake is at 12.33 feet and has dropped a foot because of the releases over the last few weeks. The Army Corps states they want to continue the releases while they still can in the dry season. They’re adjusting the releases to help with oyster spawning in the estuary.

“Our strategy to reverse the rise of the lake has been successful so far,” said Col. Andrew Kelly, Jacksonville District Commander. "An additional two to three inches of rain is forecast, which will increase the runoff in area canals. Should the rain develop as forecast, we will have difficulty in taking the lake lower, so we want to continue releasing water while the opportunity remains.”

Many Martin County residents say the only solution is to stop the discharges all together.

With the water discharging for three weeks, many community members are on edge.

“When I come to work every day, I do come out and walk the basin and go out to the front sea wall to see what the conditions are like. I also come out on the different tides because each tide can bring something different,” said Mary Radabaugh from Central Marine.

Radabaugh has been through quite a few algal blooms and has documented every one.

"The colors get better as it gets toxic," she said as she showed CBS12 News her photo albums.

Radabaugh doesn’t want to have to create another photo album.

“I would not like to see it again,” she said.

Right now, the releases aren’t bringing algae, but scientists confirm the salinity levels are lower.

Radabaugh said she sees the impacts to the water.

“The last couple of days we’ve been noticing a lot of the chocolate brown water coming in,” she said. "Yesterday, we had some patches.”

Patches that raise a red flag.

“This could be the pollution that when it does hit the salinity, the temperature could turn it into that bloom,” Radabaugh said. “What do we expect?”

The Army Corps stated they will reevaluate the situation next week.

CBS12 News will update you with their decision.