5 Jun 2013

National Trails Day

In addition to the trails at St. Lucie Lock and Dam, visitors can enjoy walking, hiking, rollerblading, bicycling and horseback riding around Lake Okeechobee. Designated as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail in 1993, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) is an approximately 110-mile trail encircling the lake. More than half of the trail is paved, and the remainder consists of a two-track gravel roadway on top of the 35-foot high Herbert Hoover Dike.

5 Jun 2013

HHD named Project of the Year

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Palm Beach Branch has given its Outstanding Project of the Year Award to Jacksonville District, for its work in designing and constructing the improvements to reduce the risk of failure at the dike. The award is presented annually by the organization to recognize the best example of an innovative or outstanding design/construction project in Palm Beach County.

24 May 2013

Corps to continue water releases from Lake Okeechobee

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District announced it will continue with water releases from Lake Okeechobee at least through early June as part of its effort to manage lake levels for the upcoming wet season.

21 May 2013

Corps wins award for rehabilitation efforts at Herbert Hoover Dike

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received an award for its rehabilitation work at the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee in south Florida.

17 May 2013

Corps to continue water releases from Lake Okeechobee

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will continue to release water from Lake Okeechobee as part of its effort to manage lake levels for the upcoming wet season.

9 May 2013

Water managers prepare for wet season

A different challenge facing water managers this year surrounds Lake Okeechobee and a higher water level this year, when compared to the previous two years. On April 23, the lake level was 13.59 feet, more than two feet higher than it was on the same date in 2011 and 2012. The lake has stayed within the Corps’ preferred range of 12.5 and 15.5 feet all winter. As a result, the district has been able to provide regular discharges of water to meet a wide variety of needs, including releases to the Caloosahatchee Estuary to keep the saltwater-freshwater mix in an acceptable range.

7 May 2013

Corps to increase water releases from Lake Okeechobee

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District has announced plans to increase flows from Lake Okeechobee as part of its effort to manage water levels for the upcoming wet season.

25 Apr 2013

Corps closes portions of trail to accommodate dike repairs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced it will close additional portions of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) due to ongoing construction associated with the rehabilitation of Herbert Hoover Dike. On May 1, the portion of trail between John Stretch Park and South Bay is scheduled to close. The closure will likely remain in effect through most of 2014, while contractors work to replace a water control structure at the Culvert 4A site west of South Bay.

12 Apr 2013

Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway Facebook site launched

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces the launch of the Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway Facebook site. This page is specifically geared towards people who want to learn more about Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway and the surrounding communities. A variety of information will be posted, including information about water releases, navigation, structure closings, water safety, recreation, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST), the Herbert Hoover Dike, boating and fishing, environmental stewardship, local events, emergency operations and much more. “Like” Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway on Facebook at http://bit.ly/LakeO

4 Apr 2013

USACE begins Dam Safety Modification Study on Herbert Hoover Dike

“The Dam Safety Modification Study is a comprehensive, system-wide study intended to identify risks in the system, and to recommend the necessary measures that can reduce the risk of failure,” said Tim Willadsen, HHD project manager. While certain sections of the dike have been studied before, HHD has never undergone a review this comprehensive and detailed. Each segment of the dike will be thoroughly reviewed for its geology and geometry, with particular attention given to scenarios that would cause the dike to fail.