Drought Conditions Drag On In South Florida

Extreme drought conditions that have parched South Florida and parts of Central Florida and visibly lowered canal and lake levels are expected to linger into the start of the wet season. South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and National Weather Service meteorologists reported that sea-breeze cycle rains — which drive the wet season — will need time to begin alleviating months of low water levels and wildfire danger and recharge the system.
“Drier-than-normal conditions are expected to continue, evaporation rates will reach their highest amounts during May, and residents will see low water levels in canals, lakes and ponds fall further,” said Susan Sylvester, the SFWMD Director of the Operations Control and Hydro Data Management Department. “Rainfall is the only recharge option. We face the ever-present water management challenges of balancing flood control, water supply and the health of the natural system for 7.7 million residents and the environment.”

April’s rainfall District-wide was 1.41 inches, or 56% of the historical average, leaving a deficit of 1.11 inches for the month. Overall, the rainfall deficit from October through May 3 was 7.87 inches.

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The hardest hit area of South Florida continues to be from northern Miami-Dade County north through the Treasure Coast, with about half — or less — of normal rainfall for the last seven months. In eastern Palm Beach County, the rainfall deficit since the beginning of October now exceeds 16 inches.

District water managers are working with users and utilities in south Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) to address critically low water levels in the wellfields that serve these areas. The FKAA started operation last week of its 6-million-gallon-a-day desalination plant to meet water demands.

Lake Okeechobee, the backup water supply for Florida’s lower east coast has dropped below 11 feet NGVD to 10.85 feet NGVD, meaning little water, if any, can be directed from the lake to the Water Conservation Areas. With no inflow into the Water Conservation Areas, which are also suffering from extremely low levels, there is no water to recharge urban canals and wellfields. Historically, Lake Okeechobee would be more than 2 feet above its current level at this time of year. The lake also remains in its water shortage management band, meaning mandatory cutbacks for permitted water users in the immediate area.

The District remains in water shortage conditions and irrigation restrictions are to continue.

Source: SFWMD news release