More Concerns about Caloosahatchee Bridges, Okeechobee Waterway, Fort Myers, FL
Skipper Heidi is referring to a May, 2014 posting also asking for advice on the height of these five bridges, see: /?p=140221. As Skipper Heidi is aware those published 55ft heights will expand and contract depending on water and weather conditions, as well as vessel conditions. If you have recent experience at the I-75 and Edison Twin bridges, let us hear from you!
Did you make the trip? Do you have any information about the clearance for the I-75 and Edison Twin bridges? Our mast is only 52f but last year in August we barely made it underneath these bridges at high tide. The `clearance boards’ did read only 53f’¦(Officially some bridges have a clearance of 54.8f, not 55f ‘“ see http://www.city-data.com/bridges/bridges-Fort-Myers-Florida.html)
Now we have to go back, but we are gained a few inches by unloading the boat and the water level is higher than last August’¦.Of course we’ll go a low tide but I’m still concerned’¦
Heidi
Click Here To View the Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For I-75 Bridges
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of I-75 Bridges
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Edison Twin Bridges
Click Here To View the Okeechobee Waterway Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Hwy 41 Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hwy 41 Bridge
Comments from Cruisers (2)
Hello to all of those transiting the beautiful Okeechobee Waterway,
For current conditions on the waterway, please allow the staff at the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin to assist you. We will be happy to provide tidal, lock schedule, weather and any other impacting information in order to help you make it through. We can be reached at 239-321-7080, yachtbasin@cityftmyers.com , llustig@cityftmyers.com , and channel 16 when closer. We are open 8 to 6 and are here to service you.
Thank you,
Leif Lustig, Dock Master
I live near the Caloosahatchie bridges. Typically there are two high and two low tides each day. Often there are significant differences in height between the two high tides. Therefore check the charted datum basis (average high or average higher high). Additionally if the wind is from a south west or westerly direction then the tides will be higher than predicted by the tide tables. It is not unusual for an actual tide heigh, due to wind, to be 1.5 feet higher than predicted at the Fort Myers bridge.