FL: Lake Okeechobee Lake Stage, Marine Weather Forecast and Water Quality Status

Comment by: Denny Heisler on Mar 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.8'

When leaving a comment about Lake Okeechobee it would be very helpful if you first mentioned the lake stage and then leave your comment. Depths have more meaning when you know the lake stage.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: on Sep 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.6'

Ran entire Okeechobee Waterway both ways 1st week of September, 2022. Took route 1 across lake. Never saw less than 6 feet below bottom of boat. All locks and bridges were no problem.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Mike Williams, Constellation, on Nov 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.5'

Crossed Lake Okeechobee east to west on Tuesday Nov 23, 2021. Depths of 8.5 - 10 feet throughout the crossing. No obstacles of any nature in the water way channel. Lock tenders very cordial and helpful. Traveled through all five locks with no trouble. The St Lucie lock will be closed for a couple of months Jan - March. If you plan an OWW trip soon, time to move on it is now. Hope all is well and safe boating. Mike

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Michael Savino on May 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Is the bridge clearance measured from the bottom of the light that hangs from under the bridge or the bottom of the bridge sucture. My mast is 50.1 feet above the water. If the bridge measurement is from the bottom of the light I believe I can clear it by going a foot or so from either side of the hanging light.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  The report is from the Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville. You need to contact them.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Johnny Ross, 'Bout Time, on Feb 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 5.0'

Crossed Okeechobee on 01/29/21 via route 1 with minimum depth observed of 8.5'.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Frederick Braman on Jul 17, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 4.0'

Traversed Okeechobee Waterway first week of July using route 1 west to east. Never say less than 8 feet, mostly around 10. Did not see alge. Some grasses to be avoided. Great service by all lock operators.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Rick Marshall on Apr 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

What is route 1 and route 2?

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Route 1 is across the lake. Route 2 is around the rim.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Michael stanley on Mar 7, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 5.0'

Occasionally duckweed will clog the intake. Happens mostly in the canal on the west side.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: William Samela, Patti Ann IV, on Mar 7, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.5'

I traveled round trip from Stuart ( east coast) to Captiva ( west coast) on February 19th and 24th and there was no sign of algae. Depths on route 1 were in excess of 7 feet.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Karen on Jan 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

I have heard people are having issues with clogged intake strainers Is this true?

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  We have not received any reports regarding algae since early 2019.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer