News Flash

LIVE OAK, FLA., JANUARY 16, 2025 – 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 December.  

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 December include:  

• The District received an average rainfall of 1.31 inches, which is 59 percent lower than the 1932-2023 average of 3.20 inches. Due to recent dry conditions, the 12-month period ending on December 31 reflected a Districtwide rainfall deficit of 1.89 inches, which is a decrease from the 5.08-inch surplus seen at the end of November. 
• Most counties in the District received between 1 and 2 inches of rainfall on average, though parts of Hamilton, Levy, and Taylor counties received more than 2.5 inches.
• River stations finished the month in the normal (25^th to 75^th percentile) flow range for the month.
• Upper Floridan Aquifer levels across the District reflected normal (25^th to 75^th percentile), high (75^th to 90^th percentile), and extremely high (above 90^th percentile) levels for the month and ended December with an average around the 62^nd percentile. 
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook suggests above normal temperatures along with below normal precipitation throughout the District from January through March. 
• The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on December 5 shows Moderate Drought conditions for most of the District, though parts of Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor are listed under the Abnormally Dry designation.  

The full report can be found on 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. 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 X. 

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