Lazaro Aleman
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Rainfall across the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) was 5.95 inches in June, nearly half an inch below the long-term average of 6.39 inches, according to the latest hydrologic conditions report.
The highest gauged monthly rainfall total was 9.19 inches, recorded at the Wacissa Tower rainfall station in Jefferson County. The Wacissa station likewise recorded the highest daily total of 6.33 inches on Wednesday, June 6, at the peak of Tropical Storm Colin.
The rainfall average across the district for the 12-month period ending June 30 was 52.0 inches, compared to the long-term average of 54.7 inches and the cumulative 12-month districtwide improved for the third consecutive month, to 2.6 inches.
Meanwhile, the average district rainfall for the three-month period that ended on June 30 totaled 12.5 inches, about an inch below the long-term average of 13.4 inches, according to the report.
Madison County received 5.75 inches in June, compared to the June average of 6.08 inches, which is 94 percent of normal for the month. Madison County received 51.26 inches during the last 12 months, or 91 percent of the annual normal.
Jefferson County received 7.39 inches in June, compared to the June average of 6.09 inches, or 121 percent of the normal for the month. The county received 52.60 inches of rainfall during the last 12 months, or 87 percent of the annual normal.
River levels began the month mostly in the normal range of flows (between the 25th and 75th percentiles) and temporarily spiked up during Tropical Storm Colin, only to end the month at levels that were lower than those they had started with.
Lake levels in the district generally decreased in June, except for those in the western and eastern parts of the area, which increased as a result of Tropical Storm Colin.
Springs, according to the report, generally declined across the district in June as a result of declining levels in the Floridan Aquifer, as did groundwater levels, which ended the month at the 47th percentile, a drop of six percentile points.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is projecting above normal rainfall for north Florida over the next three months.
The SRWMD, meanwhile, continues to urge the elimination of unnecessary uses of water. For more Information on conservation measures, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com.
The SRWMD encompasses all or parts of 15 counties in north-central Florida, including Madison County and the eastern portion of Jefferson County.
The monthly report is a compilation of data collected from radar-derived rainfall estimates, groundwater and surface water levels, river flows and other sources.