PALATKA, Fla. — Drought conditions continued across portions of the St. Johns River Water Management District in June, as rainfall remained below average throughout much of the region. Recent rains provided limited improvements in some areas, but most counties experiencing drought continue to record rainfall deficits and below-normal groundwater levels. The District continues to monitor hydrologic conditions and assess drought impacts to support water conservation efforts and protect water resources.
A full report outlining June’s hydrologic conditions was presented at the District’s Governing Board meeting. Highlights include:
Rainfall
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Districtwide rainfall averaged 5.11 inches, 1.63 inches below the monthly average.
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Monthly rainfall averages ranged from 6.89 inches in Seminole County to 3.67 inches in Alachua County.
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Annual rainfall across the District was 43.52 inches, 7.49 inches below the 12-month average.
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Rainfall totals over the past year remained uneven across the District. Volusia and Brevard counties were the only counties above normal for the previous 12 months. Sixteen of the District’s 18 counties remained below average, with Baker County recording a deficit of more than 20 inches.
Groundwater
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Upper Floridan Aquifer water levels varied across the District in June, with some areas experiencing increases while others saw declines.
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Districtwide groundwater levels, expressed as a single index, were in the 21st percentile for June, which is in the low range.
Spring flows
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Silver Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 384 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 249 million gallons per day (mgd), a decrease of 52 cfs from May, which is at the bottom of the low range for this time of year.
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In Volusia County, the Blue Spring station reported flows to be in the normal range.
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Rock Springs had a monthly mean flow of 56 cfs (36 mgd), which is in the normal range.
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Wekiwa Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 60 cfs (39 mgd), continuing to be in the normal range.
