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Lake Okeechobee is the historical gatekeeper between the watershed from the north and the Everglades to its south. Before American settlers altered South Florida’s drainage in the early 20th century, rain that fell between Orlando and the lake would drain slowly through the Kissimmee Basin to Okeechobee, where it would be held. At times of high water, the lake would overflow its southern boundary, replenishing the Everglades with freshwater. At times of low water, the flow would stop, allowing the ‘glades to dry seasonally.

The system no longer functions in this way. Water is artificially shunted in different directions at unnatural times of year, and the quality of that water is far poorer. In recent years, Lake Okeechobee has suffered from hurricane-deepened water levels and intense water quality problems, and has been forced to discharge harmful pulses of freshwater to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The symptoms are clear-- water management in South Florida isn't working for the lake-- but the causes of and solutions to these problems are complex at best.

The fate of the Everglades is tied to that of Lake Okeechobee.

Here’s how Audubon is working to restore this “liquid heart of the Everglades”:

Land Preservation
Audubon’s Okeechobee Sanctuaries protect some of the most critical components of this wild landscape, including portions of the lake-proper, as well as the Ordway-Whittell Preserve, containing some of the state’s last remaining examples of native dry prairie.

Applied Science
Our science staff is actively engaged in the ever-changing landscape of Lake Okeechobee restoration science. This on-the-ground experience allows us to make science-based recommendations such as Audubon’s Plan for Lake Okeechobee Recovery.

Influencing Policy
Restoration of this system includes many competing interests and complex science. Audubon takes an active role in the planning and implementation of Lake restoration, and seeks to communicate crucial, timely information to the public and decision makers in products like the Lake Okeechobee State of the Lake Report.

Paul N. Gray, Ph.D., Science Coordinator

Lake Okeechobee Watershed Program

Audubon of Florida

PO Box 707

Lorida, FL 33857

863-655-1831 phone and FAX

Audubon@Okeechobee.com