Above average rain hits the coast as western counties see less in September

September brought highly varied rainfall totals across the St. Johns River Water Management District, with greater differences than typically expected for this time of year. While portions of the central and southern coastal areas received more than 10 inches of rain, particularly in Volusia and Flagler counties, areas to the west and northwest saw considerably less precipitation.

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

Rainfall

• Districtwide rainfall averaged 4.68 inches, which is 2.06 inches below the monthly average.
• Monthly averages ranged from 8.57 inches in Flagler County to 1.61 inches in Baker County.
• Annual rainfall across the District was 49.18 inches, 1.83 inches below the long-term average.
• Rainfall distribution on an annual scale continues to have been higher in Volusia, Flagler, and central counties throughout the year, while we see that areas along the southern coast and to the northwest have received less.
• Thirteen counties have recorded below annual rainfall, with eight counties more than 5 inches below their annual averages, including Alachua, Baker and Bradford counties which are more than 10 inches below average.

Groundwater 

• Water levels across the Upper Floridan Aquifer primarily increased in September, with a larger portion of the area now in the normal range or above.
• Districtwide groundwater levels, expressed as a single index, were in the 42nd percentile, which is in the normal range for this time of year.   

Spring flows

• Silver Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 558 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 360 million gallons per day (mgd), an increase of 4 cfs from September. This is near the top of the low range for this time of year.
• In Volusia County, the Blue Spring station reported a decrease of 10 cfs in September with a monthly mean flow of 146 cfs (94 mgd).
• Rock Springs had a monthly mean flow of 65 cfs (39 mgd), which is in the normal range.
• Wekiwa Springs recorded a monthly mean flow of 65 cfs (42 mgd) continuing to be in the normal range.

For further insights into rainfall totals and other hydrologic data, visit sjrwmd.com.  

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