APOPKA, Fla. — Below-average September rainfall prolonged dry conditions across much of the St. Johns River Water Management District, limiting the usual seasonal recovery in several northern and western counties.
Districtwide rainfall averaged 5.30 inches in September—1.44 inches below normal—according to a report presented Wednesday to the District’s Governing Board. Scattered storms brought heavy rain to some areas, but totals varied widely, offering drought-hit counties little relief.
Rainfall remains well below normal
Monthly rainfall ranged from 7.82 inches in Okeechobee County to just 3.19 inches in Bradford County.
Over the past 12 months, the District received 42.07 inches of rain, 8.94 below average. By September, all 18 counties were below their 12-month averages; 10 had deficits over 10 inches, with Baker County exceeding 17 inches.
Groundwater levels remain very low
Most monitoring sites in the Upper Floridan aquifer were below the normal range at the end of September, though nearly all showed some improvement.
Districtwide, groundwater levels were in the 8th percentile for September, which the District classifies as very low.
Spring flows show mixed signs
Silver Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 400 cubic feet per second — about 258 million gallons per day — an increase of 18 cfs from August. The District said that remains very low for this time of year.
Other Central Florida springs fared better:
- Rock Springs: 59 cfs, or 38 million gallons per day, in the normal range.
- Wekiwa Springs: 63 cfs, or 41 million gallons per day, also in the normal range.
- Blue Spring in Volusia County: flows at a high level.
Watering restrictions remain in effect
The District’s Phase III Extreme Water Shortage remains in effect in parts of its service area due to drought, falling groundwater levels and reduced flows.
Under the order, landscape irrigation is limited to one day per week and is prohibited from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Residential properties with odd-numbered or no addresses may water on Saturdays, while those with even-numbered addresses may water on Sundays. Nonresidential properties may water on Tuesdays.
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