November sees drier weather after October’s heavy rainfall

at

Following a rainy October, November brought significantly drier conditions across the region, with all 18 counties in the District receiving below-average rainfall for the month. Despite the drier weather, aquifer levels remain healthy, and 14 counties are still above their 12-month rainfall averages. Decreased rainfall allowed most of the water levels across central Florida (St. Johns River Middle Basin) to recede below flood stage.

A full report outlining November’s hydrologic conditions was presented at the District’s Governing Board meeting. Highlights include:

Rainfall

  • Districtwide rainfall averaged 0.84 inches, falling 1.23 inches below the monthly norm.
  • Monthly totals varied, ranging from 1.83 inches in Indian River County to 0.37 inches in Marion County.
  • Annual rainfall across the District is 57.52 inches, exceeding the long-term average by 6.51 inches.
  • Northern and central counties experienced the highest rainfall, with six counties exceeding 60 inches of total annual precipitation.

Groundwater

  • Upper Floridan Aquifer levels remained high, with two wells exceeding historic water level maximums in November.
  • Districtwide groundwater levels, expressed as a single index, were in the 88th percentile, high for this time of year.
  • High groundwater levels support and recharge the aquifer ahead of the typically drier winter and spring months, but they don’t lessen the importance of encouraging continued water conservation practices.

 

Spring flows

  • Silver Springs recorded a mean monthly flow of 828 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 535 million gallons per day (mgd), a 43 cfs increase from last month and placing it in the high range for this time of year.
  • In Volusia County, Blue Spring station reported a mean monthly flow of 177 cfs (115 mgd), also within the high range.
  • Mean monthly flow at Rock Springs was 68 cfs (44 mgd), maintaining in the high range.
  • Wekiwa Springs recorded a mean monthly flow of 75 cfs (48 mgd), also in the high range for this time of year.