From the St. Johns River Water Management District
In Summary:
May rainfall exceeded normal levels across much of the St. Johns River Water Management District, marking the first month of above-average precipitation in more than seven months. While the additional rain helped ease some immediate concerns, most counties have remained below average for the past year, and groundwater levels continue to reflect prolonged drought conditions. Springs in Central Florida, including Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs, remained within normal flow ranges, though officials say continued conservation efforts are still needed.
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Drought conditions persisted across much of the St. Johns River Water Management District in May despite the region's first month of above-average rainfall since October 2025.
Rainfall exceeded monthly averages in 17 counties, providing some relief to dry conditions. However, long-term rainfall deficits remained widespread, and groundwater levels continued to decline in many areas.
Related: Why America can face drought and downpours at the same time.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor assessment showed much of the state remained in moderate and extreme drought. Most of the District’s northern counties were classified in extreme drought, while portions of several counties in the south-central District fell within the severe or moderate drought category.
Related: Orange County Issues Burn Ban as Drought Index Rises.
A full report outlining May’s hydrologic conditions was presented at the District’s Governing Board meeting. Highlights include:
Rainfall
- Districtwide rainfall averaged 5.35 inches, 1.89 inches above the monthly average.
- Monthly rainfall averages ranged from 8.36 inches in Nassau County to 3.55 inches in Brevard County.
- Annual rainfall across the District was 43.65 inches, 7.36 inches below the 12-month average.
- Rainfall totals over the past year remained uneven across the District. Volusia and Brevard counties were the only counties above normal for the previous 12 months. Sixteen of the District’s 18 counties remained below average, with Baker County recording a deficit of more than 19 inches.
Groundwater
- Water levels in the Upper Floridan aquifer generally declined during May, reflecting continued dry conditions.
- Districtwide groundwater levels, expressed as a single index, were at the 26th percentile in May, at the bottom of the normal range.
Spring flows
- Silver Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 438 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 283 million gallons per day (mgd), a decrease of 31 cfs from April, remaining in the low range for this time of year.
- In Volusia County, the Blue Spring station reported flows within the normal range.
- Rock Springs had a monthly mean flow of 56 cfs (36 mgd), which is in the normal range.
- Wekiwa Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 60 cfs (39 mgd), remaining within the normal range.
For further insights into rainfall totals and other hydrologic data, visit www.sjrwmd.com.
For more information about the Phase III Extreme Water Shortage, visit www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions.
Visit WaterLessFlorida.com for tips to help landscapes thrive while saving water and money. Follow the water conservation conversation at #sjrwmd #waterconservation #savewater.
The St. Johns River Water Management District staff are committed to ensuring the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the District and the state of Florida. The St. Johns River Water Management District is one of five districts in Florida that manage groundwater and surface water supplies. The District encompasses all or part of 18 counties in northeast and east-central Florida. The district headquarters is in Palatka, and staff are also available to serve the public at service centers in Apopka, Jacksonville, and Palm Bay.
Key Points:
- The St. Johns River Water Management District received an average of 5.35 inches of rain in May, nearly 2 inches above normal.
- Despite the rainfall, 16 of the District's 18 counties remain below average for precipitation over the past 12 months.
- Groundwater levels continued to decline and ended May at the 26th percentile, near the bottom of the normal range.
- Much of the District remains under moderate-to-extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
- Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs in Central Florida continued to record normal spring flows despite the ongoing drought.
For more information about the District, please visit www.sjrwmd.com.
