Lake Okeechobee Water Levels Falling

WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — Less water will flow from Lake Okeechobee over the weekend.

Lt. Col. Tom Greco of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says water levels in the lake are falling because of drier conditions in August.

However, Greco says a significant storm could raise water levels again.

In that case, the Corps could resume heavy water releases into the St. Lucie estuary and the Caloosahatchee River.

On Friday, the lake level stood at 15.46 feet.

The Corps aims to keep water levels between 12.5 and 15.5 feet.

The Corps first reduced the water discharges from the lake last month.

Months of above-average rainfall and rising water levels had prompted the Corps to fully open locks around the lake relieve pressure on its aging earthen dike.

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