The Issue: A Delicate Balance at Risk
In Southwest Florida, water is the lifeblood of our environment, our economy, and our way of life. Currently, as our region grapples with a severe drought, one of our most vital ecosystems, the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, is not receiving even the minimum amount of essential freshwater
The Caloosahatchee is a delicate saline system. To remain healthy, it requires a consistent minimum flow of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee. This freshwater prevents saltwater from encroaching too far upstream, protecting:
- Critical seagrass beds that provide oxygen and food.
- Nursery habitats for local fish and crustacean populations.
- Water quality for the surrounding coastal communities.
| When flows drop below the minimum threshold, it can lead to a salinity imbalance and the collapse of the Caloosahatchee’s sensitive ecological system, which can take years to recover from. |
Our Action
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida joined with partner organizations to request that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District release sufficient water from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River and estuary to meet these minimum flow requirements, which it is entitled to, and to maintain the important salinity balance.
| 📄 Read the Full Joint Letter You can view the full joint letter sent to state and federal agencies here. |
Take Action: Your Voice Matters
We are stronger when we speak together. Our partners at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) have launched an action alert to ensure our decision-makers hear the community’s concerns.
Please click the link here to send a message to officials via the SCCF Action Alert.