If you’re standing on the edge of the Herbert Hoover Dike right now, you aren't looking at a "full" lake. Not even close. Actually, the Lake Okeechobee water level today is sitting at roughly 13.18 feet (NGVD29).
That number might sound like just another dry statistic from a government spreadsheet, but in South Florida, that number is everything. It’s the difference between a healthy bass population and a massive blue-green algae bloom that shuts down your favorite boat ramp.
Right now, the lake is lower than it usually is this time of year. Specifically, it’s about 1.53 feet below the historical average for mid-January. If you've been out on the water lately, you’ve probably noticed the difference. The "Liquid Heart of Florida" is looking a little lean.
Why 13.18 Feet Actually Matters
Most people think the Army Corps of Engineers wants the lake as high as possible. Wrong. It’s a delicate, high-stakes balancing act. If the water gets too high, it puts pressure on the dike—though the massive rehabilitation project finished a couple of years ago has eased those fears.
But if it stays too high, the Corps eventually has to dump that water down the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. That’s when the trouble starts. Those "discharges" carry nutrients that feed the nasty stuff.
On the flip side, we’re currently in what’s considered the "dry season." If the lake drops too low, say below 10 or 11 feet, the navigation channels become a nightmare.
The Real-Time Stats (As of January 16, 2026)
- Current Elevation: 13.18 feet NGVD29 (roughly 11.87 feet in the newer NAVD88 system).
- One Year Ago: The lake was much higher, around 14.69 feet.
- The Trend: We've seen a steady, slow decline over the last week. It was 13.19 feet just a couple of days ago.
- The Average: Normally, for January 16th, we'd expect to see the lake closer to 14.7 feet.
Basically, we're in a "low-normal" phase. This is actually pretty good for the lake’s ecology. When the water is lower, sunlight can reach the bottom, helping submerged aquatic vegetation—like tape grass—grow. That grass is the lungs of the lake. Without it, the whole system collapses.
The Algae Problem Nobody Likes to Talk About
Even with the water on the lower side, we aren't out of the woods. Just this week, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued a caution for blue-green algae at the Pahokee Marina.
It’s kind of wild. You’d think colder January air would keep the blooms down, but the nutrients are still there. The state found blooms at RITTAE2 and CLV10A earlier this month too.
If you’re planning on taking the kids out or letting the dog splash around the edges, honestly, just keep an eye out. If the water looks like spilled green paint or smells like something died in a dumpster, stay out. The toxins can be brutal on pets and people with sensitive systems.
Boating and Fishing: The Reality Check
For the anglers, the current level of 13.18 feet is decent but requires a bit of local knowledge.
The Route 1 navigational depth is currently estimated at about 7.1 feet, while Route 2 is tighter, around 5.3 feet. If you have a deep-draft boat, you’re going to be sweating a bit in certain sections.
The Kissimmee River is still pushing some water in—about 360 cubic feet per second (cfs)—but it’s a trickle compared to the summer months. Most of the water is actually leaving the lake right now, heading south to the Everglades or being used for irrigation in the sugar fields.
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- Check your prop.
- Watch the markers.
- Don't assume the "flats" are actually deep enough to plane out.
What’s Coming Next?
We are currently under La Niña conditions, which usually means Florida stays drier and warmer through the spring. The South Florida Water Management District is projecting the lake will stay in "Zone D" for a while.
What does that mean for you?
It means we probably won't see those massive, destructive discharges to the coasts anytime soon. That’s the silver lining of a lower lake level. The estuaries in Stuart and Fort Myers get a break from the freshwater onslaught, which keeps the salinity levels where the oysters and seagrass like them.
However, if the "dry" stays too dry, we might see water restrictions by March or April. It’s a weird cycle we live in. We spend half the year praying for it to stop raining and the other half wondering where all the water went.
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Actionable Steps for Lake Users
If you are heading out to the Big O this week, do these three things:
- Check the Blue-Green Algae Dashboard: Before you pick a boat ramp, check the Florida DEP’s algal bloom map. Pahokee is currently a "caution" zone, so maybe launch further north or west.
- Watch the Wind: Because the lake is relatively shallow (even at 13 feet), a strong north wind can literally "push" the water south, making the north end even shallower than the gauge says.
- Monitor the NAVD88 vs. NGVD29 Shift: This is a nerd point, but important. The state is switching to the NAVD88 measurement system. If you see a sign saying the lake is 11.8 feet, don't panic. It's the same amount of water as 13.18 feet in the old system—just a different starting point for the "zero" line.
Stay safe on the water, keep your eyes peeled for the green gunk, and enjoy the lake while the levels are stable.
Keep an eye on the USACE Jacksonville District reports for daily updates, as levels can shift by an inch or two overnight depending on gate operations at S-77 and S-308.