Reduced lake flows could mean ‘dodged bullet’ for spawning

SANIBEL, Fla. – Southwest Florida may avoid an environmental disaster now that the Army Corps of Engineers has reduced the freshwater flows from Lake Okeechobee, experts said on Tuesday.

James Evans, the director of natural resources for the city of Sanibel, said that fish could have a successful spawning season — huge news for the fishing industry, which was bracing for the worst.

“By reducing flows now we will actually have some food for those sport fish to eat, so we could dodge a bullet if we maintain flows lower,” Evans said.

The water color is noticeably different following recent decreases in the Lake Okeechobee discharge to the Caloosahatchee River. Many Southwest Florida residents were concerned because the water was once brown and murky.

“It is more of a greenish color, mucky green, but no not a brown,” a tourist, Lynette Johnston said on Tuesday.

Even with better looking water, the Captain for Clean Water group said they will continue to fight for permanent solutions. They want to see water directed south of the Everglades, Daniel Andrews of the advocacy group said.

“We are asking for the state of Florida, the governor and the legislature to purchase land in the Everglades agricultural area to store, treat and convey water south,” he said.

State Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R- Fort Myers) attended the event, at which attendees were asked to sign petitions. Fitzenhagen said she supports the purchase of land for excess water from the lake.