Communities along the west coast of Florida are reporting negative effects from the Lake Okeechobee discharges.
Sanibel Island released new images to WPTV, comparing water quality from the beginning of June until now.
On June 2nd, the water in San Carlos Bay appeared green. Director of Natural Resources, James Evans reports the weekly discharges were 1,048 cubic feet per second.
Three weeks later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased discharges to 9,046 cubic feet per second, three times the harmful threshold.
During a conference call Tuesday, Evans says he and the Manager for Ecosystem Restoration & Management Division at Martin County urged the Corps to reduce discharge levels.
Sanibel hasn't seen harmful blooms on its beaches but our partners WFTX report the Franklin Lock along the Caloosahatchee was shut down in May because of toxic blooms.
The Caloosahatchee River is an outflow from Lake Okeechobee on the west coast of Florida; it empties into the San Carlos Bay after passing miles of marshland.
In Lee County, Evans reports the health department hasn't posted swim advisories; bacteria levels there are in compliance with state standards.
