From the St. Johns River Water Management District
In June, rainfall across the St. Johns River Water Management District was below average in all 18 counties. Precipitation mostly occurred at the beginning and end of the month, and totals varied widely across the District.
Central counties, including Lake, Orange, and portions of Volusia and northern Brevard counties, recorded the highest rainfall amounts, with some localized areas receiving more than 10 inches. In contrast, many areas along the southern coast were well below normal.
Related: Orange County Utilities highlights Smart Irrigation Month with helpful reminders.
While 11 counties remain above their 12-month rainfall averages, three counties were more than 3 inches below their annual averages.
“As we enter the rainy season, it is important to remember that water conservation matters all year long, said St. Johns River Water Management District Bureau Chief of Water Resources Information, Timothy Miller. “Maintaining healthy aquifer levels now helps protect Florida’s water supply during drier months when rainfall is less abundant.”
A full report outlining June’s hydrologic conditions was presented at the District’s Governing Board meeting. Highlights include:
Rainfall
- Districtwide rainfall averaged 5.44 inches, which is 1.30 inches below the monthly average.
- Totals ranged from 7.19 inches in Okeechobee County to 4.06 inches in Bradford County.
- Annual rainfall across the District was 53.66 inches, 2.65 inches above the long-term average.
- Northern and central counties continue to receive the most rainfall throughout the year, while areas along the southern coast and western portions of the District have received less.
- Eleven counties have recorded above normal annual rainfall, with six counties more than 5 inches above their annual average, including Seminole County which is 9 inches above average. Seven counties are below their 12-month average, with Alachua, Okeechobee and Indian River counties more than 3 inches below normal.
Groundwater
- Conditions in the Upper Floridan Aquifer showed a mix of decreases and increases in water levels across most of the District. However, the majority of the monitoring wells remain in the normal range.
- Districtwide groundwater levels, expressed as a single index, were in the 52nd percentile, which is in the normal range for this time of year.
Spring flows
- Silver Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 539 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 348 million gallons per day (mgd), a decrease of 53 cfs from May. This is near the top of the low range for this time of year.
- In Volusia County, the Blue Spring station reported a decrease of 3 cfs in June with a monthly mean flow of 160 cfs (103 mgd).
- Rock Springs's monthly mean flow was 58 cfs (38 mg), remaining in the high range.
- Wekiwa Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 63 cfs (41 mg), which remained in the normal range.
For further insights into rainfall totals and other hydrologic data, visit www.sjrwmd.com.
Visit WaterLessFlorida.com for tips to help landscapes thrive while saving water and money. Follow the water conservation conversation at #sjrwmd #waterconservation #savewater.
St. Johns River Water Management District staff are committed to ensuring the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the District's residents and the state of Florida. The District is one of five in Florida managing groundwater and surface water supplies. It encompasses all or part of 18 northeast and east-central Florida counties. District headquarters are in Palatka, and staff are also available to serve the public at Apopka, Jacksonville, and Palm Bay service centers.
For more information about the District, please visit www.sjrwmd.com.
