Zipper Canal closure on Lake Okeechobee

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, has temporarily closed the Zipper Canal starting this week to facilitate nearby restoration work.

The canal is located between Pearce Canal and the Kissimmee River in Lake Okeechobee, adjacent to the Pearce/Buckhead Canal and the Buckhead Pump Station. The canal will reopen no earlier than the end of June. Pearce Canal will not be impacted.

To help protect public health and safety, signs will be posted at both ends of the Zipper Canal informing of the closure. This closure is necessary to provide heavy equipment access for a nearby muck removal project.

For more information, email AquaticHabitat@MyFWC.com or visit MyFWC.com/AquaticHabitats.