News Flash

LIVE OAK, FLA., MARCH 16, 2023 – To help enhance public awareness of water levels and the impact rainfall has on current conditions in North Florida, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) has released its Hydrologic Conditions Report for the month of February.  

This monthly report highlights rainfall, surface water and groundwater levels, a climate and drought outlook, as well as other scientific data that can be utilized to help educate the public about the impact rainfall has on North Florida.  

Notable highlights from the month of February:  

• The District received an average of 3.61 inches of rain during the month, which is approximately 5 percent lower than the 1932-2022 average of 3.80 inches.
• The 12-month period ending February 28 reflected a rainfall deficit of 3.48 inches. This means the District has received less rainfall during the previous 12 months than the historical average. 
• Many of the river gages finished the month in the normal (25^th to 75^th percentile flow range). However, gages in the Santa Fe River Basin along with the Steinhatchee River near Cross City showed below normal flows at the end of February. 
• Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) levels across the District reflected mostly normal levels, while large portions of Taylor, Jefferson, Alachua, and Bradford counties showed high (75^th to 90^th percentile) levels. Areas of Hamilton County showed both high and extremely high (higher than 90^th percentile) levels. 
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook favors above normal temperatures with below normal rainfall changes throughout the District from March through May. 
• The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on March 9 shows most of the District in Moderate Drought, with portions of Taylor, Madison, and Hamilton listed as Abnormally Dry. Jefferson County, however, is not currently experiencing any drought conditions.

The full report can be found at the District’s website under the Science & Data tab. It is typically updated the second week of each month, and reports from the previous five years are available for viewing. 

The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. The District holds true to the belief of water for nature, water for people. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.

For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, search @SRWMD.

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