Lake Okeechobee Levels Below 12 Feet Will Require Lock Closures
March 23, 2017
West Palm Beach, FL - Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee, please be advised that if drier-than-average conditions persist and the levels of Lake Okeechobee are further reduced, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will close navigation locks on the north shore for safety reasons. Personal injury and lock damage could occur when boats pass through these structures at water levels below any of the designated safety limits.
Today, the water level in Lake Okeechobee is 12.77 feet. However, if the lake falls below 12 feet, locks along the north shore will be closed. The locks potentially affected are:
- Martin County: S-135 structure, J&S Fish Camp
- Okeechobee County: G-36 structure, Henry Creek
- Glades County: S-127 structure, Buckhead Ridge
- Glades County: S-131 structure, Lakeport
- ***Okeechobee County: S-193 structure, Taylor Creek, will close if lake levels fall below 11 feet.***