Above-normal rainfall during the summer rainy season has brought significant improvement to water resources not seen in more than seven years in the Southwest Florida Water Management District's region.
Many of the District's lakes, rivers and aquifers have recovered after a four-year drought which started in 2005. Rainfall totals from the four-month rainy season show above normal averages across the District.
"This summer was a drought breaker for us," said Granville Kinsman, the District's hydrologic data manager. "Areas north of the Tampa Bay area especially saw major improvements."
Some lakes in the northern region rose more than four feet. Also, the Withlacoochee River is back in the normal range for flows.
The rainy season was helped by a significantly above-normal June, mostly due to two tropical storms. However, provisional rainfall data show that September was below average across the District.
Despite the above-normal season, the District urges year-round water conservation. Water levels may rise and fall, but our water resources remain limited. The District encourages efficient, non-wasteful uses of water to sustain our high quality of life. Visit "WaterMatters.org/Conservation":http://www.WaterMatters.org/Conservation for water conservation tips.2012 Rainy Season Rainfall Averages by County (.pdf)2012 Rainy Season Rainfall Averages by County (.docx)
Many of the District's lakes, rivers and aquifers have recovered after a four-year drought which started in 2005. Rainfall totals from the four-month rainy season show above normal averages across the District.
"This summer was a drought breaker for us," said Granville Kinsman, the District's hydrologic data manager. "Areas north of the Tampa Bay area especially saw major improvements."
Some lakes in the northern region rose more than four feet. Also, the Withlacoochee River is back in the normal range for flows.
The rainy season was helped by a significantly above-normal June, mostly due to two tropical storms. However, provisional rainfall data show that September was below average across the District.
Despite the above-normal season, the District urges year-round water conservation. Water levels may rise and fall, but our water resources remain limited. The District encourages efficient, non-wasteful uses of water to sustain our high quality of life. Visit "WaterMatters.org/Conservation":http://www.WaterMatters.org/Conservation for water conservation tips.2012 Rainy Season Rainfall Averages by County (.pdf)2012 Rainy Season Rainfall Averages by County (.docx)