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News Flash
SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report for January is now available
LIVE OAK, FLA., FEBRUARY 12, 2026 – 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 January. 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 January include: The District received an average rainfall of 1.74 inches, which was approximately 52 percent lower than the 1932-2025 average of 3.66 inches. The 12-month period ending January 31 reflected a Districtwide rainfall deficit of 14.78 inches, which was an increase from the 11.54-inch deficit seen at the end of December.District averages ranged from just over 1 inch to 2.5 inches of rainfall, with parts of Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison counties receiving more than 3 inches of rain. Most of the river gages in the District finished December in the below normal (10th to 25th percentile) flow range, with two gages on the Santa Fe, and one each on the Suwannee, Steinhatchee, and Withlacoochee, showing extremely low (below 10th percentile) flow ranges. Upper Floridan Aquifer levels across the District ranged from extremely low (less than 10th percentile) to normal (25th to 75th percentile) levels for the month and ended January with a Districtwide average around the 22nd percentile. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook suggests above normal temperatures along with below normal precipitation from February through April. The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on February 5 shows all district counties in either severe or extreme drought designations. 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. ###
Monthly SRWMD Governing Board meeting to take place on February 10
LIVE OAK, FLA., FEBRUARY 4, 2026 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) will hold its Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 9 a.m. The meeting will be open to the public at the District Office in Live Oak as well as streaming online at the District’s YouTube channel. The February 10 Governing Board meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted on the District website at www.MySuwanneeRiver.com. The meeting will be accessible online at https://www.youtube.com/@SRWMD and the stream will be accessible shortly before the start of the meeting. Public comment will be accepted from those in attendance. 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. ###
SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report for December is now available
LIVE OAK, FLA., JANUARY 15, 2026 – 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 2.73 inches, which was approximately 14 percent lower than the 1932-2024 average of 3.19 inches. The 12-month period ending December 31 reflected a Districtwide rainfall deficit of 11.54 inches, which was a decrease from the 12.94-inch deficit seen at the end of November.District averages ranged from 1.6 inches to 3.5 inches of rainfall, with parts of Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties receiving more than 4 inches of rainfall. Most of the river gages in the District finished December in the below normal (10th to 25th percentile) flow ranges, with two gages on the Santa Fe and one gage on the Withlacoochee showing extremely low (below 10th percentile) flow ranges. Upper Floridan Aquifer levels across the District ranged from extremely low (less than 10th percentile) to normal (25th to 75th percentile) levels for the month and ended December with a Districtwide average around the 24th percentile. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook suggests above normal temperatures along with below normal precipitation from January through March. The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on January 8th shows most counties in the District with Moderate or Severe Drought conditions. A large portion of Jefferson County also shows Extreme Drought conditions. 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. ###
SRWMD issues water shortage advisory due to drought conditions
LIVE OAK, FLA., JANUARY 13, 2026 – Following a year of below-average rainfall across North Florida that has affected rivers, springs and groundwater levels, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) Governing Board on Tuesday issued a water shortage advisory, calling on water users to be mindful of their consumption and adopt conservation practices.As of December 21, 2025, 14 of the 15 District counties had an average rainfall deficit of approximately 11.5 inches based on records dating back to 1932, and rainfall forecasts for the next three months call for below normal precipitation. All counties in the District are also at varying levels of drought conditions. The declared advisory encourages all users to:Conserve water to the maximum extent possible.Reduce overall water use; be mindful of running taps, leaks, and other indoor water uses that can add up. Defer water-intensive activities such as washing cars, pressure washing, landscape plantings, and other discretionary water uses until conditions improve. If you choose to irrigate your landscape, schedule irrigation to no more than one day per week, ensure that the system is free of leaks, and set for the minimum time and volume necessary for the yard. All permittees are encouraged to review their operations, ensure permitted conservation measures are fully implemented, and plan for the possibility of extended drought. This advisory allows permit holders time to plan if further water restrictions are necessary, such as eliminating high-pressure irrigation systems, transitioning to night irrigation, and minimizing the use of less efficient irrigation systems. Permittees should contact the District for potential cost-share programs to improve the long-term efficiency of these systems. Golf courses are encouraged to delay overseeding until conditions improve. “This advisory is a proactive approach to increase awareness of our current conditions and encourage enhanced conservation efforts to protect our water resources,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “This applies to all water users, area residents, businesses, and visitors. While we always need to be mindful of our water resources, in times of drought and low rainfall, conservation is even more important. Water conservation requires all of us to work together.”The advisory applies to all counties within the District, and the unincorporated portions of Alachua and Levy counties. The District, in coordination with Florida’s other water management districts, will continue to monitor hydrologic conditions, keep the public informed, and, if warranted, declare additional water shortage measures. 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. ###
Monthly SRWMD Governing Board meeting to take place on January 13
LIVE OAK, FLA., JANUARY 6, 2026 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) will hold its Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, January 13 at 9 a.m. The meeting will be open to the public at the District Office in Live Oak as well as streaming online at the District’s YouTube channel. The January 13 Governing Board meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted on the District website at www.MySuwanneeRiver.com. The meeting will be accessible online at https://www.youtube.com/@SRWMD and the stream will be accessible shortly before the start of the meeting. Public comment will be accepted from those in attendance. 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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SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report for January is now available
LIVE OAK, FLA., FEBRUARY 12, 2026 – 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 January.
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 January include:
- The District received an average rainfall of 1.74 inches, which was approximately 52 percent lower than the 1932-2025 average of 3.66 inches. The 12-month period ending January 31 reflected a Districtwide rainfall deficit of 14.78 inches, which was an increase from the 11.54-inch deficit seen at the end of December.
- District averages ranged from just over 1 inch to 2.5 inches of rainfall, with parts of Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison counties receiving more than 3 inches of rain.
- Most of the river gages in the District finished December in the below normal (10th to 25th percentile) flow range, with two gages on the Santa Fe, and one each on the Suwannee, Steinhatchee, and Withlacoochee, showing extremely low (below 10th percentile) flow ranges.
- Upper Floridan Aquifer levels across the District ranged from extremely low (less than 10th percentile) to normal (25th to 75th percentile) levels for the month and ended January with a Districtwide average around the 22nd percentile.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook suggests above normal temperatures along with below normal precipitation from February through April.
- The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on February 5 shows all district counties in either severe or extreme drought designations.
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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Monthly SRWMD Governing Board meeting to take place on February 10
LIVE OAK, FLA., FEBRUARY 4, 2026 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) will hold its Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 9 a.m. The meeting will be open to the public at the District Office in Live Oak as well as streaming online at the District’s YouTube channel.
The February 10 Governing Board meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted on the District website at www.MySuwanneeRiver.com.
The meeting will be accessible online at https://www.youtube.com/@SRWMD and the stream will be accessible shortly before the start of the meeting. Public comment will be accepted from those in attendance.
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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SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report for December is now available
LIVE OAK, FLA., JANUARY 15, 2026 – 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 2.73 inches, which was approximately 14 percent lower than the 1932-2024 average of 3.19 inches. The 12-month period ending December 31 reflected a Districtwide rainfall deficit of 11.54 inches, which was a decrease from the 12.94-inch deficit seen at the end of November.
- District averages ranged from 1.6 inches to 3.5 inches of rainfall, with parts of Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties receiving more than 4 inches of rainfall.
- Most of the river gages in the District finished December in the below normal (10th to 25th percentile) flow ranges, with two gages on the Santa Fe and one gage on the Withlacoochee showing extremely low (below 10th percentile) flow ranges.
- Upper Floridan Aquifer levels across the District ranged from extremely low (less than 10th percentile) to normal (25th to 75th percentile) levels for the month and ended December with a Districtwide average around the 24th percentile.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three-month seasonal outlook suggests above normal temperatures along with below normal precipitation from January through March.
- The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on January 8th shows most counties in the District with Moderate or Severe Drought conditions. A large portion of Jefferson County also shows Extreme Drought conditions.
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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