News Flash

LIVE OAK, FLA, Feb. 14, 2017 – Rainfall across the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) was up 15% from the long-term average for January. 

January rainfall averaged 4.56” across the District, up from the average of 3.95”. Madison and Jefferson counties saw the greatest amount of rainfall, both receiving over 8” of rain. The highest recorded rainfall for January occurred at Smokehouse Lake in northern Jefferson County with 9.65”.

Alachua, Dixie and Levy counties in the southwest portion of the district saw the least amount of rain of about 2” during the month. Levy received less than half normal monthly rainfall. 

Rivers throughout the district showed an increase in streamflow during the month. Lakes also showed an increase in January with the exception of Waters Lake in Gilchrist County that declined 0.4’. Springs showed a decline in January due to high river levels causing backwater or springflow reversals. 

District aquifer levels rose 0.7’ in January, increasing to the 42nd percentile on average. Two-thirds of the District’s long-term wells showed an increase in aquifer levels and only one long-term well continued to show averages below the 10th percentile. 

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. 

A full copy of the District’s January Hydrological Conditions Report can be found online at www.mysuwanneeriver.com under the “Water Resources” tab. 

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

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