History of Water Shortage

Our subtropic region has two seasons: the rainy and the dry season, which can bring short-term excesses and shortages: in a natural cycle of flood and drought. We also have one of the nation's fastest growing populations, which increases demand and can decrease supplies of water storing lands. Seasonal shortfalls of rain can stress both ground and surface waters, which can require the declaration of a water shortage, and mandatory limits on irrigation.

Our dry season usually starts in November, and continues through May. Temperatures fall and humidity decreases, but not radically. From spring through winter, millions of seasonal visitors visit the region, further increasing the demand for water.

Changing Our Landscape

Our region was, less than 100 years ago, a wetlands studded peninsula which was wet for most of the year. The early settlers clustered near the thin strip of higher ground created by coastal ridges, which, like the sides of a bowl kept water stored in inaccessible inland swamps.

In today's far more densely developed region, the rainy season and the dry season can quickly bring flooding and drought -- because there are few places quite as flat, or as blessed with rainfall (an average 53 inches a year) and population growth (about 7.5 million residents and millions of seasonal visitors). More than 90% of us get our drinking water from groundwater sources, which are primarily replenished by rainfall. Treating sea water or surface water for consumption is far more expensive, and therefore, rarer than most believe.


Managing Emergencies

When water levels are too high, or too low, SFWMD Emergency Management Operations monitors and optimizes regional water management.