In spite of the fact that the wet season is in full swing and most areas of the District are receiving regular rainfall, many of the District's long term water storage resources remain at low levels. For this reason, staff has been directed to develop a Water Supply Contingency Plan for the upcoming dry season. The objective is to ensure that the District is prepared in case water conditions are extremely dry over the upcoming year. Click here to go to the Water Supply Contingency Planning Website . May. In south and central Florida, average yearly rainfall is about 53 inches.
Actual rainfall varies widely from year to year, and from location to location.
One part of the District may be flooded at the same time another area is in the midst of drought. Today, we can reduce the impact and duration of the extremes of drought and flood by monitoring water and weather conditions, and by sending water out to sea or to storage areas before, during and after storms. We can also move water throughout the region to recharge drinking water supply sources such as wellfields. At the same time, optimal water supply conditions can be harmful, even devastatiing to ecosystems which have evolved to thrive on natural extremes and seasonal change. Lowering Lake Okeechobee is intended to encourage the cleansing and regrowth at the lake's edges which occur during times of drought or lower water levels.