News Flash

LIVE OAK, FLA., MAY 12, 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 April.  

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 April:  

• The District received an average of 2.96 inches of rain during the month, which is approximately 13% lower than the 1932-2022 average of 3.39 inches.
• The 12-month period ending April 30 reflected a rainfall deficit of 9.98 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, the Steinhatchee gage near Cross City and the Santa Fe River gage near Fort White were below normal (10^th to 25^th percentile) at the end of April. 
• Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) levels across the District reflected mostly normal levels, while portions of Jefferson, Lafayette, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, and Gilchrist counties saw levels in either the low (10^th to 25^th percentile) or extremely low (less than 10^th percentile) ranges at the end of the month.  
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook favors above normal temperatures and above normal rainfall chances throughout the District from May through July. 
• The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on May 4 shows the southern and eastern parts of the District in either the abnormally dry or moderate drought category, with portions of Levy County in severe drought or extreme 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. 

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