Lazaro Aleman: Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) received below average rainfall during July, according to the agency’s latest hydrologic conditions report.
Overall, the district’s rainfall averaged 6.13 inches in July, which is about 1.5 inches below the long-term average of 7.64 inches for the month. Only Alachua and Bradford counties received greater than average amounts of rain in July, according to the report. This contrasts with last month, when the district received the fifth highest June rainfall total since 1932. The highest gauged monthly rainfall total was 13.51 inches, recorded in Alachua County, while the lowest gauged monthly total was 1.55 inches, recorded in Lafayette County.
The rainfall average across the district for the 12-month period ending July 31 was 55.7 inches, compared with the long-term average of 54.5 inches. “The district has transitioned to a modest cumulative 12-month surplus of 1.2 inches,” the report states.
The average district rainfall for the three months ending June 31 was 20.6 inches, which is about 20 percent above the long-term average of 17.8 inches for the period, according to the report.
Madison County received 4.77 inches in July, compared with the July average of 7.29 inches, which is 65 percent of normal for the month. Madison County received 49.58 inches during the last 12 months, or 88 percent of the annual normal.
Jefferson County received 5.69 inches in July, compared with the July average of 7.23 inches, which is 79 percent of normal for the month. Jefferson County received 50.51 inches of rainfall during the last 12 months, or 83 percent of the annual normal.
The SRWMD reports that most rivers were well within their normal flow levels for this time of year, with a few above normal. Lake levels, meanwhile, rose by 0.3 foot on average in July, while four lakes declined in levels. Springs across the district on the whole rebounded due to the June rain, according to the report. And groundwater levels rose by almost 0.3 foot during July, ending the month at the 46th percentile on average, an increase of five percent from the end of June.
The SRWMD reports that the El Niño Southern Oscillation Index continues to remain in neutral status and is projected to stay in this range for the rest of the calendar year.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is maintaining its projection of normal rainfall but higher than average temperatures for north Florida for the remainder of the summer.
The SRWMD continues to urge water users to eliminate unnecessary uses and practice conservation. For more information, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com. The SRWMD covers all or parts of 15 counties in north-central Florida, including Madison and Jefferson on its most northwestern portion.
The monthly report is a compilation of data collected from radar-derived rainfall estimates, groundwater and surface water levels, river flows and other sources.