Weeks of dry weather and below-average rainfall have pushed much of north central Florida into drought conditions, raising concerns about water supplies for residents, parks and local businesses.
The St. Johns River Water Management District declared a moderate water shortage on Feb. 10. The shortage escalated to “severe” on March 5.
Phases, which range from 1 for “moderate” to 4 for “critical” water shortages, correlate with drought conditions in the region and suggest changes in water conservation efforts.
Alachua County has experienced below-average rainfall over the past year. In the 12-month period from March to February, the county usually receives an average 52 inches of rain. But this year, it only recorded about 37 inches over that span.
The county is under extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Officials have extended the countywide burn ban until March 13 because of the dry weather.
In Alachua County, the largest water use is public supply and agriculture, according to Alachua County’s Water Conservation Initiative.
The moderate water shortage phase included voluntary water conservation, but as conditions worsened, the district implemented mandatory restrictions.
Before the district declared a severe shortage, residents would’ve been able to water plants twice a week on designated days during daylight saving time. But now, irrigation is limited to one day a week.
The district relies on the Floridan aquifer system, an underground water source that supplies much of Florida’s drinking water. The system also supports commercial water use, such as farming and landscaping. Rainfall replenishes the aquifer when it seeps underground and recharges water supplies.
Clay Coarsey, director of the Water Supply Planning and Assessment Division at the St. Johns River Water Management District, said the district is working closely with local governments to enforce water conservation and is encouraging residents to save water when possible.
“The communication side of things is the most important part of this,” Coarsey said. “So that people are aware these restrictions are in place, and that it's something that is really important for us all to pitch in and do our part.”
Stacie Greco, water resources program manager for Alachua County, said the county is asking residents to remain mindful of water conservation. While officials promote conservation year-round, complying with restrictions and avoiding wasteful water use is especially important during the shortage, Greco said.
“We are also encouraging people to consider not irrigating at all,” she said. “Coming out of the cooler season, your landscapes might not be completely recovered from that. So, we ask people to voluntarily go even beyond that.”
Alachua County has also asked residents to report wasteful watering, including leaking irrigation systems, water-intensive activities and overwatering. Residents who observe wasteful water use can call the county’s helpline or submit an online form.
While the county continues to promote water conservation among residents, some local businesses and parks expressed concerns about limited water supplies and ongoing dry conditions.
Darby Guyn, recreation leader for Sweetwater Wetlands Park, said the park’s water levels remain stable because of the inflow of treated wastewater from the Main Street Water Reclamation Facility.
However, its neighboring park, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, has experienced significantly lower water levels, she said.
“When I first started working here at the park, the water from Paynes Prairie came almost halfway up the trail,” Guyn said. “Now when you look at it, the shelf is re-exposed. It’s a good 3, 4 feet down, which is pretty significant.”
If water levels don’t rise with increasing rainfall, worsening conditions could put stress on local wildlife and ecosystems, she said.
With the lower water levels at Paynes Prairie, Sweetwater has noticed more wildlife present in the park. Bison, horses and alligators have been increasingly spotted in the area, Guyn said.
Crossroads Farm & Apiary, a Gainesville farm specializing in growing strawberries, hasn’t been severely impacted by the drought and lower water levels yet. However, the situation adds pressure to the farm’s irrigation system.
Jacob Amlong, the 43-year-old owner of Crossroads Farm & Apiary, said due to below-average rainfall and higher temperatures, the farm has had to water more than usual, which could affect the quality and quantity of berries produced.
The water management district monitors the farm’s well and output, which require permits and approval before commercial use, Amlong said.
Continued drought and water restrictions could affect his plans to expand the farm to include water-intensive crops.
“It’s one of those things you have to keep in the back of your mind,” Amlong said. “You don’t want to invest in a long-term crop or citrus that’s going to need a lot of water if we’re going to continually be under water restrictions.”
Olivia Lofaso is a contributing writer for The Alligator.
