Attention Boaters! There will be a spillway gate inspection at Ortona Lock and Dam from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on November 6, 2024. Boaters should expect low water west of Ortona today and tomorrow, between the Ortona Lock and the W.P. Franklin Lock and make any necessary docking adjustments.  

Notice to Navigation: 2024-014 Low Water between Ortona and W.P. Franklin Locks

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

LOCAL NUMBER: 2024-014

WATERWAYS:  Okeechobee Waterway – Ortona and W.P. Franklin Locks    

EFFECTIVE: 5 November 2024

ATTN: CESAJ-OD-SN

PO Box 4970

Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019

POC: Christopher Rush  (863)-514-0773

https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/NTN/

Okeechobee Waterway Low Water between Ortona and W.P. Franklin Locks

REFERENCE:33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters

1. Notice to Navigation

Attention Boaters! There will be a spillway gate inspection at Ortona Lock and Dam from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on November 6, 2024. Boaters should expect low water west of Ortona today and tomorrow, between the Ortona Lock and the W.P. Franklin Lock and make any necessary docking adjustments.  

2. For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

                St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148

                Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424

                Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533

                Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846

                W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 239-694-5451 or 863-662-9908

                Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

South Florida Operations Office

Jacksonville District

Office: (863) 983-8102 

Jeffrey D Prater

Public Affairs Specialist

Corporate Communications Office

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

South Florida Office

4400 PGA Blvd.

Suite 501

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Cell: 561-801-5734

jeffrey.d.prater@usace.army.mil

Twitter @JaxStrong

Jacksonville District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict

Click Here To View the Okeechobee Cruisers Net Bridge Directory Listing For Ortona Lock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortona Lock

Greetings,

Notice to Navigation: 2024-011 Okeechobee Waterway Resumes Normal Operation

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

LOCAL NUMBER: 2024-010

WATERWAYS:  Okeechobee Waterway

EFFECTIVE: 12 October 2024

ATTN: CESAJ-OD-SN

PO Box 4970

Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019

POC: Christopher Rush  (863)-514-0773

POC: Greg Jones Cell (304) 654-8464, Office (863) 983-8102

https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/NTN/

Okeechobee Waterway Resumes Normal Operation

REFERENCE:

1. 33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters

1. Notice to Navigation

Attention all concerned boaters! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has competed the inspection of the Okeechobee Waterway post-Hurricane Milton and it has been determined safe for navigation.

All locks have returned to normal operating hours.

However, in accordance with Notice to Navigation 2024-008, boaters should use caution when approaching the Port Mayaca Lock as the upper gate is currently inoperative. Until further notice, there is a 25 feet width restriction at the lock.

2. For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

                St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148

                Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424

                Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533

                Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846

                W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 239-694-5451 or 863-662-9908

                Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

//signed//

Gregory M. Jones (Greg)

Chief, South Florida Operations Office

Jacksonville District

Cell: (304) 654-8464

Office: (863) 983-8102 

Jeffrey D Prater

Public Affairs Specialist

Corporate Communications Office

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

South Florida Office

4400 PGA Blvd.

Suite 501

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Cell: 561-801-5734

jeffrey.d.prater@usace.army.mil

Twitter @JaxStrong

Jacksonville District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict

Notice to Navigation: 2024-006  Update!

The Okeechobee Waterway Locks will resume normal operations on September 28, 2024. Normal operating hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thank you, Jeff

Jeffrey D Prater

Public Affairs Specialist

Corporate Communications Office

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

South Florida Office

4400 PGA Blvd.

Suite 501

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Cell: 561-801-5734

jeffrey.d.prater@usace.army.mil

Twitter @JaxStrong

Jacksonville District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict

Notice to Navigation: 2024-006 Okeechobee Waterway Lock Operations during Hurricane Helene

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

LOCAL NUMBER: 2024-006     

WATERWAYS:  All South Florida Locks     

EFFECTIVE: 24 September 2024

ATTN: CESAJ-OD-SN

PO Box 4970

Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019

POC: Christopher Rush  (863)-514-0773

https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/NTN/

Okeechobee Waterway Lock Operations during Hurricane Helene

REFERENCE:
a.     33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters

1. Notice to Navigation

Notice is given that safe harbor lockages will begin on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 to allow safe passage for vessels before Hurricane Helene makes local landfall. Locks will be open 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. supporting vessel safe harbor passage. Lock operations will stop eight hours prior to landfall, as railroad and drawbridges will be lowered or rotated and locked into a secure position. It’s important that all vessels are at their intended destination before bridges are secured and passage across the waterway suspended. No mooring of vessels on Corps Structures during event.

For Lock Operator safety, the locks will:

• Stop locking vessels or working outdoors if lightning is observed within five miles of the lock, and operations will not resume until lightning has not been seen in the area for 30 minutes.
• Stop locking vessels when winds exceed 35 MPH.

After a storm, it could be days or weeks before the waterway is reopened, depending on damage to structures and how quickly debris creating navigation hazards can be removed. When locking is resumed, it will be at the site’s normal locking hours: Okeechobee Waterway Locks from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Canaveral Harbor Lock 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m..

2. For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

                St Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665 or 863-662-9148

                Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858 or 863-662-9424

                Julian Keen, Jr. Lock & Dam 863-946-0414 or 863-662-9533

                Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616 or 863- 662-9846

                W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 239-694-5451 or 863-662-9908

                Canaveral Lock 321-783-5421 or 863-662-0298 (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)

//signed//

Christopher Rush

Acting Chief of Navigation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

South Florida Operations Office

Jeffrey D Prater

Public Affairs Specialist

Corporate Communications Office

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

South Florida Office

4400 PGA Blvd.

Suite 501

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Cell: 561-801-5734

jeffrey.d.prater@usace.army.mil

Twitter @JaxStrong

Jacksonville District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USACE Jacksonville District issues Notice of Availability

for the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM)

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (May 24, 2024) – Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (USACE) is issuing a Notice of Availability for the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). USACE is proposing a new regulation schedule for Lake Okeechobee within an updated Water Control Plan (WCP). The regulation schedule is a compilation of operating criteria, guidelines, and figures that govern the quantity, timing, and duration of releases out of the lake. The regulation schedule establishes the agency’s operational strategy to balance the congressionally authorized project purposes for flood risk management, water supply, enhancement of fish and wildlife, navigation, and recreation. Implementation of this regulation schedule corresponds with the completion of the Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) rehabilitation and considers completed or nearly completed Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects. LOSOM is intended to replace the current Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule, known as the 2008 LORS (LORS08). 

The Final EIS evaluates an array of alternative Lake Okeechobee regulation schedules and describes and compares their potential environmental effects, including consideration of comments from public and agency review. The Recommended Plan was chosen based on the project purposes and objectives. The proposed LOSOM plan remains the same as documented in the Draft EIS and WCP released in July 2022, which the USACE developed over almost four years in collaboration with stakeholders. The schedule and operational criteria have not changed, and the performance of the plan remains the same as documented in the Draft EIS. The proposed regulation schedule and WCP will govern lake releases and C&SF Project operations in portions of Glades, Martin, Palm Beach, Hendry, Lee, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties, Florida. Effects may extend to Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties, Florida.

The LOSOM represents a significant shift in operational philosophy to a system-wide benefits approach. Lake level management would be focused on making beneficial releases at times and in quantities that improve water supply availability and enhance fish and wildlife in the region. The LOSOM plan also improves the ability of water managers to use system-wide analysis to adapt to real time conditions to make informed decisions on lake releases. The LOSOM also includes more robust and structured communication and collaboration between the USACE and stakeholders, as operational decisions are made.

The Final EIS is available for your review on the Jacksonville District’s Environmental planning website: 

www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/

(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Multiple Counties”.  Scroll down to the project name). The Final EIS can also be found on the project website at: www.saj.usace.army.mil/LOSOM/

The review period of the Final EIS is 30 days beginning on May 24, 2024.

Questions concerning the proposed action can be submitted by email at LakeOComments@usace.army.mil

Correspondence may be submitted to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Attn: Jacob Thompson, Project Biologist

701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207-8915

MIAMI – The Coast Guard is seeking comment on the updated temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway, mile 7.41 at Stuart, Fla., published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, February 6.

This deviation is effective starting at 12:01 a.m. on February 12, 2024.

Click here for Coast Guard publishes revised temporary deviation for Okeechobee Waterway, St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge

See NAV ALERT: UPDATE

FLORIDA – OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY (ST LUCIE RIVER) – FEC RAILROAD BRIDGE: Rulemaking / Temporary Deviation UPDATE: 10/27/23
UPDATE: The Coast Guard is reopening the comment period to solicit additional comments concerning its notice of temporary deviation to the regulation governing the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW), mile 7.41, at Stuart, FL. The expected increase in  railway service was delayed and did not commence until late September 2023. The original comment period for the temporary deviation that was
published on August 11, 2023 (88 FR 54487) will be reopened and published in the Federal Register starting Friday November 3rd, through November 30th. The notice is identified by docket number USCG-2022-0222 at https://www.regulations.gov. Additional information is provided in the online document, Please read.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation to drawbridge operation regulation, 33 CFR 117.317(c), that governs the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (St. Lucie River), mile 7.41, at Stuart, Florida. The temporary deviation authorized on June 6, 2023, effective on June 21, 2023, is hereby cancelled as of 11:59 p.m. on August 8, 2023. Under this revised temporary deviation, the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge will
operate as follows from 12:01 a.m. on August 15, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. on December 17, 2023:
1. The FEC Railroad Bridge will be maintained in the fully open-to-navigation position, except during periods when it is closed for the passage of train traffic, to conduct inspections, and to perform maintenance and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard.
2. The bridge will not be closed for more than 50 consecutive minutes in any given hour during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and for more than 8 total hours during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
3. Notwithstanding condition #1 and #2, the drawbridge will open and remain open to navigation for a fixed 10-minute period at the top of each hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, the drawbridge will open and remain open to navigation for a fixed 15-minute period as outlined in the table below:
Monday through Friday 8:55 a.m. through 9:10 a.m.,
Saturday and Sunday:
8:55 a.m. through 9:10 a.m.,
9:55 a.m. through 10:10 a.m.,
10:55 a.m. through 11:10 a.m.,
12:55 p.m. through 1:10 p.m.,
4:55 p.m. through 5:10 p.m.
4. From 10:01 p.m. until 5:59 a.m. daily, the drawbridge will remain in the fully open-to navigation position, except during periods when it is closed for the passage of train traffic, to conduct inspections, and to perform maintenance and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard. The drawbridge will not be closed more than 60 consecutive minutes.
5. If a train is in the track circuit at the start of a fixed opening period, the opening may be delayed up to, but not more than, five minutes. Once the train has cleared the circuit, the bridge must open immediately for navigation to begin the fixed opening period.
6. The drawbridge will be tended from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. The bridge tender will monitor VHF-FM channels 9 and 16 and will provide estimated times of drawbridge openings and closures, or any operational information requested. Operational information will be provided 24  hours a day by telephone at (772) 403-1005.
7. The drawbridge owner will maintain a mobile application. The drawbridge owner will publish drawbridge opening times, and the drawbridge owner will provide timely updates to schedules, including but not limited to, impacts due to emergency circumstances, inspections, maintenance, and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard.
8. Signs will be posted and visible to marine traffic, displaying VHF radio contact information, application information, and the telephone number for the bridge tender.
A single crane and a single material barge are located on the water at the site of the FEC Stuart River Bridge lighted IAW Inland Navigation rules. All equipment is moored outside (south) of the channel fender system, and not expected to impede navigation. There is a bridge app and website for the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (St. Lucie River), at Stuart, FL. This app and website provides mariners with real-time information about the FEC Railway/Brightline rail bridge openings and closures. To download the
bridge app, search for “Bridge Schedule” in the Apple and Android app stores or visit http://www.bridgeschedule.com.
If you have questions on this rulemaking, call or e-mail Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard District, telephone 305-415-6740, email Jennifer.N.Zercher@uscg.mil LNM 23/23

This increase in train service will double the wait time for boaters in the Okeechobee Waterway due the increased number of RR bridge waterway closings. 

BRIGHTLINE TO GO FROM 16 T0 30 TRAINS BETWEEN ORLANDO AND MIAMI

15 Round-Trips to Begin October 9

Orlando, Fla. (October 3, 2023) – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service in America, will double its train service between Orlando and Miami, just two weeks after opening the highly anticipated route. Brightline will begin running 30 trains daily starting October 9, with 15 daily departures from Miami and Orlando. 

The new hourly schedule begins with the first train leaving Orlando at 4:38 a.m., arriving into Miami at 8:11 a.m. The final train leaves Orlando at 8:54 p.m. The first train leaves Miami for Orlando at 6:41 a.m., arriving at 10:19 a.m. with the last train leaving Miami for Orlando at 9:41 p.m. Additional early-morning and late-night trains will operate between Brightline’s five South Florida stations.

Media Contacts:

Katie Mitzner, director of public affairs

katie.mitzner@gobrightline.com

407.502.3587

Vanessa Alfonso, director of media relations

vanessa.alfonso@gobrightline.com

305.744.2293

About Brightline

Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service in America. The company currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in Travel and included in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Hot List for the best new ways to travel. Offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road, Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.