Despite November’s above-average rainfall, drought conditions develop in some counties

A map illustrates rainfall conditions across the St. Johns River Water Management District.

PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 11, 2018 — Data collected by the St. Johns River Water Management District shows rainfall during November was above average in most areas, except for a zone of below-average rainfall in the district’s southernmost counties. A full report outlining hydrological conditions was presented at the district’s December Governing Board meeting.

“While we continue to see rain in some areas, during winter, weekly irrigation isn’t always needed,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “If homeowners who irrigate skipped every other week of watering this winter, north and east-central Florida could save more than a billion gallons of water.”

Less than two inches of rain was recorded during November in Brevard, Indian River and areas of Osceola, Orange and Okeechobee counties where the district collects data. Low November rainfall in these southern counties has contributed to developing drought conditions in Indian River and Brevard counties.

Water conservation is a year-round focus at the district. This winter, the district is asking homeowners across its 18-county region to join the statewide “Skip a Week” campaign to save water during cooler months when weekly irrigation isn’t always needed. To learn more about rainfall totals or the district’s “Skip a Week” campaign, visit sjrwmd.com.