Coronavirus isn't factor in Army Corps's Lake Okeechobee operations; perhaps it should be

The coronavirus pandemic "doesn't play a role" in determining how to operate Lake Okeechobee, says the Army Corps of Engineers.

Perhaps it should, either as an argument to lower the lake or one to hold more water in it .

The Corps will continue sending Lake Okeechobee water west to the Caloosahatchee River, which needs fresh water to hold back saltwater intrusion in the river's estuary.

The move also will lower the lake elevation, helping reduce the risk of damaging discharges to the St. Lucie River this summer.

In fact, Col. Andrew Kelly, the Corps commander for Florida, said Friday there will "likely be zero releases" if current weather patterns hold and there are no massive rain-producing storms over the summer.

And there are "no algae-related issues on the lake thus far this year," Kelly said.

That's good, because health problems caused by toxic blue-green algae blooms fed by Lake O discharges could worsen symptoms for persons with COVID-19, according to two algae researchers.

Microcystin, a common toxin produced by blue-green algae, can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested and rash or hay fever symptoms if touched or inhaled. Drinking water with the toxins can cause long-term liver disease.

"I can't prove it," said Larry Brand, a professor of marine biology and ecology at the university of Miami, "but it seems obvious that you'd be worse off if you're hit with two health problems — exposure to microcystin and COVID-19 — instead of one."

Mike Parsons, a marine science professor at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, agreed COVID-19 symptoms, "especially respiratory distress, could be exacerbated by the blue-green algae if people are near the bloom and smelling it."

On the other hand, taking too much water out of the lake could exacerbate health problems brought on by the coronavirus around the lake, said Ramon Iglesias, general manager of the Roland and Mary Ann Martin Marina and Resort in Clewiston.

"Imagine if we were to have a drought and water from Lake Okeechobee wasn't available to the towns and counties that need it and are also dealing with the coronavirus," Iglesias said. "That could create a serious health issue."

The coronavirus has dramatically hurt business at his marina, Iglesias said, "and now they're going to take away the lake water?"

With the "unprecedented upheaval related to Covid-19, water for farmers and public water supply should be considered a critical resource, especially during this exceptionally dry year that South Florida is experiencing," said Judy Sanchez, senior director of corporate communication and public affairs at U.S. Sugar Corp.

"It is hard to understand why the Corps would be deviating from their established rules to reduce the water stored for future use in this situation," Sanchez said in an email.

Coronavirus "doesn't play a role in our decision-making on lake operations," Kelly said, adding he "will ask the Florida Department of Health about any associations" between the virus and algae toxins "and make sure they're considered."

Lower Lake O

The lake will probably drop below the 12-foot elevation the Corps had predicted for the June 1 start of the summer rainy season.

Models indicate the lake could be around 11 feet 6 inches in early June, Kelly said.

And he's OK with that.

"The lake got below 11 feet last year with no significant impact," he said.

More: Army Corps' plan for 12-foot Lake O wouldn't prevent discharges

More: Treasure Coast residents tell Army Corps how to operate Lake O

Sending water to the Caloosahatchee and lowering the lake will help "protect our environment and our tourism-based economy that is already suffering from the stresses of COVID-19," said Eric Eikenberg, executive director of the Everglades Foundation. 

The Friends of the Everglades are "very grateful the Corps is continuing flows to the Caloosahatchee even as the lake has gotten lower," said Executive Director Eve Samples "It's good for the Caloosahatchee and good for the St. Lucie."

More:Stakeholders debate Lake Okeechobee's lower levels

But the weather is still calling the shots, Samples added.

Heavy rains in April and May or rain-laden tropical storms in what's predicted to be an active hurricane season could put massive discharges back on the table.

"We can't continue to roll the dice on the weather cooperating every year," Samples said. 

Tyler Treadway is an environment reporter who specializes in issues facing the Indian River Lagoon. Support his work on TCPalm.com.  Contact him at 772-221-4219 and tyler.treadway@tcpalm.com.