Water Shortage Declared In South Florida
March 23, 2011 With regional water levels falling and no significant rainfall forecast in the coming weeks, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle signed orders declaring a water shortage in South Florida.
Lake Okeechobee, which is the backup water supply for South Florida, hit 11.76 feet NGVD, its water shortage management zone, on Friday, March 18. Also this month, the region has received only 45% of its historic average rainfall through Tuesday, or 0.95 inches for a deficit of 1.18 inches. This follows the driest October-to-February period in 80 years and a dry season deficit that reached 7.72 inches as of Tuesday, March 22.
The water shortage orders, which are effective on Saturday, March 26, include:
- A 15% cutback for all agricultural, nursery, and diversion and impoundment surface water users within the Lake Okeechobee Service Area (LOSA).
- Phase I water restrictions for agricultural, nursery, and diversion and impoundment permittees that use or divert surface and ground water in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Withdrawals from surface waters by specified users will be reduced 15%, and agricultural and nursery operations will limit the hours of irrigation.
- Phase I water restrictions for agricultural and nursery water users in the southern portion of Miami-Dade County. Users will limit the times and hours of irrigation operations.
- Cisterns and low-volume irrigation systems — such as drip, bubble and micro-jet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones — may be used at any time, although voluntary reductions are encouraged. Irrigation with reclaimed water is exempt.
- An Operational Order for District operation of certain bypass structures in the southern Indian Prairie Water Use Basin. This action is necessary to implement the LOSA cutbacks and ensure equitable distribution and delivery of water to the Seminole Tribe’s Brighton Reservation pursuant to the Compact and to other users in the basin.
- A 15% cutback for golf course irrigation in Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
- A two-day-a-week schedule for residential landscape irrigation throughout the District. Helping to relieve impacts on surface and groundwater sources, the order provides consistency for the District’s 7.7 million residents. It is also consistent with Florida’s neighboring water management districts and municipalities that are currently following a two-day watering schedule. Landscape irrigation accounts for half of all potable (drinking) water use in South Florida.
The District has limited or suspended operation of five navigation locks on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee due to declining water levels in the lake and lock chambers. Lock tenders will not be on duty at locks that are closed.
Low Rainfall and Current Conditions
Links to information about irrigation limits by area, current conditions are available at www.sfwmd.gov/waterwatch.
Source: SFWMD news release