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Aquifer levels remain at a ‘deficit,’ despite recent rains in Central Florida

WaterAtlas.org — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Drought conditions persist in Central Florida, despite recent summer rains.

Not enough rain has fallen to compensate for the existing “deficit” in the underground aquifer system that provides most of the state’s drinking water, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District. An “extreme” water shortage declared by the district in May remains effective, requiring all water consumers — residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural — to take steps to conserve the critical natural resource.

Diving into the data

In Marion County specifically, total annual rainfall is nearly two feet short of where it should be by this time of year.

“When you're that short on rainfall, it takes more than just a few afternoon thunderstorms … to be able to start to refill the aquifer,” said Clay Coarsey, the district’s director of water supply planning and assessment.

For July, total rainfall across the district fell about 1.5 inches short of the monthly average. District-wide, total annual rainfall is sitting more than nine inches below average levels, based on precipitation data from August 2025 through last month.

In Central Florida’s coastal areas, rainfall totals are looking a bit better. Within the district’s 18-county coverage area, only Brevard and Volusia saw monthly rain totals improve in July.

But more precipitation is necessary inland, Coarsey said, where sandy soils allow rain to seep more easily through the ground and into the aquifer system lying thousands of feet below the Earth. “We need that rainfall inland, because that's really the area where we're getting our aquifer recharge.”

Warm seasonal temperatures are also fueling drought conditions. “We have a lot of plants that are growing, a lot of turf that's growing. And a lot of that rainfall is ending up as either evaporation or transpiration that the plants are using,” Coarsey said.

Transpiration is the process of plants taking up water from the soil, then releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves. Separately, about 90% of moisture in the atmosphere comes from water evaporating from ocean, lakes and rivers, according to the United States Geological Survey.

As climate change drives up global temperatures, more water is evaporating into the atmosphere, according to climate scientists — leaving soils and surface water bodies more dry.

How can any one person help?

By conserving water, all Central Floridians can play an important role in helping ease drought conditions, Coarsey said.

Residents of areas covered by the ongoing extreme water shortage should only be watering their lawns one day a week, between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. More details on the district’s watering restrictions are available here.

Another key step is to make sure your irrigation system’s required rain sensor is working. “With the rain that's been coming through, you'll be wasting money and our water resources if you're irrigating shortly after we have a rain event,” Coarsey said.

Sometimes, public irrigation systems using reclaimed water — treated, recycled stormwater and wastewater — will still run during or shortly after it rains. That’s because the utilities using that reclaimed water only have so much storage capacity for it.

“We're trying to be as efficient as we can with all water,” Coarsey said. “But sometimes, just due to operational constraints, we're not as quite as efficient with reclaimed (water) as we'd like to be.”

Where, exactly, is an extreme water shortage in effect?

In Central Florida, all of Flagler, Lake, Marion, Polk and Sumter counties are in an extreme water shortage, as declared by St. Johns and the Southwest Water Management District. Other parts of the region covered by St. Johns may be required to follow other, locally-set water conservation rules.

Beyond the Central Florida region, areas in an extreme water shortage also include:

In the St. Johns district: Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, plus parts of Alachua County.
In the Southwest Florida district: All of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties; portions of Charlotte and Highlands counties; and Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.

Lake Okeechobee water level drops due to Florida drought. How to check

WaterAtlas.org — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Lake Okeechobee has started to thrive this year as water levels lower and sun reaches the underwater plants in one of the nation's largest freshwater lakes, due to Florida's prolonged drought.

State agencies were able to dredge portions of Lake Okeechobee in the summer for the first time since 2007. These areas, which should be clear water, are coated in muck from manure and fertilizer runoff.

The muck smothers native plants, sprouting a motley tangle of cattail and willow when water recedes.

“Right now, things are flourishing and it’s wonderful to see,” Paul Gray, an expert on Lake Okeechobee for Audubon Florida, told USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida. “If the lake doesn’t go up really fast and leave young plants in the dark, we should have a super strong recovery.”

From 12 to 15 feet above sea level is considered to be the ideal range for most recreational anglers and professional guides, says Bass Online's website. In this window, the ecosystem stays stable and the depth allows sunlight to reach the bottom to grow the vegetation.

The freshwater lake is also a key component of South Florida's water supply and flood control systems, providing drinking water for surrounding communities and serving as a source of irrigation for a $1.5 billion-a-year agricultural industry, according to U.S Army Corps of Engineers. The lake also serves as a source of water for navigation, recreation and for estuaries.

Before it was contained by the Herbert Hoover Dike, the lake would periodically overflow, and the freshwater would gently move south into the Everglades, creating one of the most diverse and important ecosystems in the world, according to Florida Oceanographic Society.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulates and reports the official daily water levels of Lake Okeechobee, according to South Florida Water Management District.

Plants clean the water and provide a place for bugs to live, which are then eaten by the fish, which are food for bigger fish and birds.

“Right now, you can go out there and see remarkably clear water and beautiful submerged aquatic vegetation growing and that is an immediate affect of the recovery,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Regional Director for the Southern Region Tom Reinert during a June 5 meeting. “That vegetation will allow baby fish to hide and grow and then our fishermen can go out and catch them.”

Fishing guide Captain Bo White at Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina in Clewiston said the lake has been healing since last year as water levels dropped.

“The fishing has been excellent. The fish didn’t leave when the lake got dirty, they just found other places to go where you aren’t used to seeing them,” White said. “The longer that water stays lower, it stays cleaner. The lake is definitely on a rebound.”

FEMA Announces $600M for Flood Mitigation Projects

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

FEMA has announced $600 million in fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding through its Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current program. The program provides accelerated post-disaster funding for projects that reduce repetitive flood damage to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-insured properties following qualifying flood disasters or major disaster declarations between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2027. Up to $40 million per disaster is available.

Key objectives include:

Increase community flood resilience and reduce future flood losses
Accelerate mitigation funding so projects can be implemented shortly after flood events rather than waiting for traditional annual grant cycles
Reduce future claims and financial exposure to the NFIP

States, territories, and Tribes apply on behalf of local communities. Application deadlines are established after a disaster declaration, typically 60-180 days after the disaster declaration. Download the Funding Bulletin to learn more.

Drought Extremes are Intensifying More Rapidly Than in the Past

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Droughts are becoming an increasing global concern as their impacts intensify. Understanding how climate change affects drought frequency and severity is essential for projecting future drought risk. In this context, the question raised by Helpap et al. [2026]—”are modern droughts unprecedented?”—has a high scientific relevance. Here, 20 ensemble members from a 600-year climate simulation and reanalysis data from the period 1950-2024 are analyzed to place recent droughts in a multi-century context. It is concluded that drought extremes are intensifying more rapidly beyond the range experienced in the past than moderate droughts. Therefore, an increasing likelihood of droughts reaching unprecedented magnitudes is expected in the near future, thus highlighting the urgency for adaptation measures in water resources and environmental management.

Citation: Helpap, P., Brönnimann, S., Hand, R., Franke, J., Raible, C. C., & Stocker, B. D. (2026). Are modern droughts unprecedented? AGU Advances, 7, e2026AV002536. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026AV002536

Invisible hitchhikers: how ‘forever chemicals’ travel in water

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Grab a cup and scoop up water from Lake Michigan or one of the rivers that feed it. Then hold the water sample up and you’ll see tiny bits of floating particles, including bits of clay, algae and other organic matter that make the water appear cloudy.

These microscopic particles may hold important clues to understanding how a large family of human-made chemicals – called PFAS, or “forever chemicals” – move through one of the region’s most valuable natural resources, said Yin Wang, associate professor, civil & environmental engineering.

The research team of Wang; Shangping Xu, associate professor, geosciences; and Patrick Gorski, a scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; will look at the question in a new study funded with a $259,500 grant from Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Scientists have spent years studying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which persist in the environment and are linked to adverse human health effects. They know the compounds can cling to soil, Wang said, but what isn’t known is whether PFAS chemicals also hitchhike on the countless suspended particles in lakes and rivers.

Attached vs. dissolved

“If PFAS are attached to these particles, they may behave very differently than if they are simply dissolved in the water,” Wang said. Understanding those differences could help researchers identify how PFAS enter the lake and where they are most likely to accumulate.

With water samples collected from the lake and several of its largest tributaries, Wang and Xu will separate the suspended particles and the water and measure the amount of PFAS in each. The results should reveal how much of the contamination is traveling with particles and how much remains dissolved.

The team believes that many PFAS compounds do attach to suspended particles, but not all in the same way, Xu said. The researchers also hypothesize that the chemical structure of different PFAS compounds influences if or how tightly they stick to floating solids.

What rivers can reveal

Comparing samples from Lake Michigan with those taken in tributaries may offer additional insights. Rivers often carry more suspended particles than the open lake, where the much larger volume of water dilutes them. Wind, waves and weather can influence where the particles go, and fish and other aquatic organisms may encounter particle-bound PFAS differently than the dissolved chemicals.

Looking at both data sets, “may allow us to determine how tributary-derived PFAS are redistributed and modified within the lake,” said Xu, whose research focuses on emerging contaminants in the environment, and the development of novel removal technologies.

Today’s environmental models often overlook the distinctions because the necessary data doesn’t exist, Wang added. He hopes this research will fill the gap, providing new information that could improve cleanup strategies.

Wang and Xu previously worked together on a Sea Grant project that investigated how PFAS compounds accumulate and move in groundwater. The pair also hold a patent on a next-generation filtration material specifically designed to target low concentrations of PFAS.

King Tide Season Is Here. What They Reveal About Florida's Flooding Future

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

South Florida's king tide season begins this week, giving residents and communities a predictable chance to see how high tides interact with streets, stormwater systems and other infrastructure.

King tides, also known as high-tide flooding, are amplified by sea levels rising globally combined with local conditions such as wind and changing coastlines. High-tide flooding already occurs multiple times a year in South Florida and is predicted to increase in frequency and severity as seas continue to rise.

The South Florida Water Management District expects six periods of elevated tides in 2026: Aug. 11–14, Sept. 8–15, Sept. 24–Oct. 15, Oct. 22–Nov. 12, Nov. 22–29 and Dec. 22–27. The highest predicted flooding days of the year could occur near the Oct. 27 full moon, although the amount of flooding will depend on conditions at the time, including rainfall, wind and local drainage.

“King tides are a predictable natural event, but they also provide a preview of the challenges Florida’s coastal communities may face during extreme weather events as seas continue to rise,” said Serena Hoermann, Ph.D., director of Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions and assistant research professor in the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability. “They give communities an opportunity to plan for resilient infrastructure as these conditions become more frequent.”

Hoermann said there are four things Floridians should be aware of during king tides:

Where water collects

King tides can reveal flood vulnerabilities that may not be obvious under normal conditions. Residents can pay attention to where water collects along roads, near storm drains, in yards and in low-lying areas, as well as how long it remains, and how it affects everyday activities such as commuting, going to school and running errands.

Because king tide flooding involves repetitive contact with saltwater, its corrosive effects can damage roads, vehicles, landscaping and other property and infrastructure.

Those observations can help identify vulnerabilities and places where flooding could become more disruptive during heavier rainfall or tropical weather.

What happens when high tides meet heavy rain

An elevated tide can become more consequential when it coincides with heavy rainfall — more than 3 inches in a day — which can occur during tropical storms, hurricanes or even strong daily showers typical during the summer months. When water levels are already high, stormwater systems may have more difficulty moving additional water away from streets and neighborhoods, potentially leaving flooded areas underwater longer.

The same is true when winds push water toward the coast. Local wind conditions can make the difference between relatively minor water accumulation and more significant flooding.

How infrastructure responds

King tides highlight the importance of decisions made long before flooding occurs. Hoermann said communities should account for future flood risk when deciding where to build housing and roads, how to design stormwater systems and how to protect wetlands and other natural buffers. Building codes can also help ensure new development is designed with future conditions in mind.

That kind of long-term planning can be difficult to visualize, particularly when future conditions may look very different from what residents see today.

The cost of flooding

A single flooding event may cost less than a typical insurance deductible, but repeated events add up. Hoermann said the cumulative costs can include lost business for shops, reduced mobility for seniors, delays for first responders and health risks from standing water. Planning for higher water now, she said, is generally less costly than retrofitting neighborhoods or addressing damage after chronic flooding sets in. In the meantime, Hoermann said residents can help by maintaining green space that gives water somewhere to drain, checking city and county websites for information on local flooding, and supporting development and building codes that account for future flood risk.

For more information, contact Brittany Wise at 850-323-0353 or Wiseb@fau.edu.

Southwest Florida Water Management District to Hold Virtual Public Workshop on Ranking Water Bodies

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District as well as the establishment of water reservations. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year.

The District will hold a virtual public workshop at noon on Thursday, Aug. 27. Members of the public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting, please click on this link to register https://bit.ly/3SqvGmr. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Teams.

To join the meeting by telephone only, dial (786) 749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 562 912 452#.

A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. A water reservation defines a quantity of water set aside from the water use permitting process for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. The District’s Governing Board establishes MFLs and reservations as part of achieving the balance between meeting water needs and sustaining Florida’s natural systems.

The adopted minimum flows and levels priority list and schedule for 2025 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2026 list will be published on the site following the Governing Board’s Aug. 25 meeting and will be considered for approval at the Board’s October meeting.

Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Gabe Herrick, Chief Environmental Scientist, at gabe.herrick@watermatters.org or to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL. 34604, no later than Sept. 7.

Thanks to the drought, Florida's Lake Okeechobee is flourishing

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

LAKE OKEECHOBEE — Water once clouded brown now runs clear with sunshine glinting off underwater fields of verdant eel grass and coaxing long dormant seeds to burst with life.

Newly planted native bulrush grows in contented clumps in Fisheating Bay.

Freshly uncovered sand scraped clean of up to 20 inches of black muck invites wetland loving spikerush, purple blooming pickerelweed and meadows of water lilies to put down roots.

In Lake Okeechobee, this year’s prolonged drought that withered parts of Florida is leading to a renaissance as water levels lower and sun reaches submerged plants that are the ecosystem building blocks in the largest lake in the southeastern U.S.

For the first time since 2007, the retreating water allowed state agencies to access and dredge portions of the lake this summer — areas that should be clear water over a sandy bottom but are instead coated in muck from decades of manure- and fertilizer-laden runoff.

The muck smothers native plants, sprouting a motley tangle of cattail and willow when water recedes.

“Right now, things are flourishing and it’s wonderful to see,” said Paul Gray, an expert on Lake Okeechobee for Audubon Florida. “If the lake doesn’t go up really fast and leave young plants in the dark, we should have a super strong recovery.”

Don't look to Lake O to cool down during heat spell

WaterAtlas.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County is urging the public to be mindful of the dangers of blue-green algae in Lake Okeechobee.

Water testing is underway because blue-green algae has the potential to produce toxins.

The health department is urging people to exercise caution, even if the presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed.

Residents and visitors are advised that where there is a bloom to:

Not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with these waters;
Keep pets and livestock from contact with the water;
Not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms — boiling will not eliminate toxins;
Not eat shellfish from these waters.

Eating fish caught near blue-green algae

Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe provided the fish fillets are rinsed well with tap or bottled water and the fish is cooked thoroughly.

Be sure to wash skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored water that smells unpleasant.

DYK: Highlighting National Water Quality Month

WaterAtlas.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

DID YOU KNOW: The District's water sampling program tracks Florida’s water health across hundreds of sites. Our dedicated team of field technicians, laboratory chemists, environmental scientists and many other staff collect samples, analyze them and combine them with real-time sensor data to help guide restoration decisions.

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA: This monitoring program supports restoration projects throughout the District's 16-county region, including the Everglades, Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee, Big Cypress Basin, water conservation areas, stormwater treatment areas and the estuaries.

As part of routine scientific efforts, the District monitors numerous environmental indicators, such as surface water, ground water, rainfall, fish, birds, invertebrates, vegetation and sediments.

LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS: Accurate and reliable data are mandatory for implementing water quality improvements and environmental restoration efforts. The District continues to advance key restoration projects that are improving the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

REAL RESULTS: These investments in Everglades restoration are paying off. Together with our partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we have completed, launched or reached a major milestone on 90 Everglades restoration projects since 2019. In addition, over 5.6 million pounds of nitrogen and 933,000 pounds of phosphorus are now removed from Florida's waterways on an annual basis, marking a major reduction in nutrient pollution.

LEARN MORE: Clean water is critical for the health of our ecosystem and the District remains focused on improving water quality across the region.

We encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/Restoration to learn more.