Manatee deaths are slowing, but could Lake O discharges change that?

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First the good news: after 1,901 manatee deaths in 2021-2022, "only" 332 deaths have been recorded so far this year. Florida is on pace for the lowest total since at least 2020.

But could discharges from Lake Okeechobee reverse this trend?

Lake O discharges didn't "cause" the recent spike in manatee deaths. But by flooding the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries with nutrient-laden freshwater that triggers algae blooms, discharges could kill off more seagrass, feed the red tide which has harmed manatees and increase the sea cows' exposure to the herbicide glyphosate.

Bottom line: Discharges are bad news for manatees - and we need to keep up the fight to prevent them. For more, check the latest on VoteWater.org.

That huge toxic algae bloom on Lake Okeechobee right now? Get used to it every year from here on in. Our recent Deep Dive details what happened to cause this, and what we can do to avert an even more toxic future.

Our Facebook post about how blue-green algae was discovered in the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers prompted reactions of sorrow and anger - here we go again. Join the debate by clicking here.

P.S. Signatures Needed! The "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signature by November 30 to get on the 2024 ballot. The petition can be printed out and signed here: http://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/