Tampa Bay Regional Drought Index - February 2007

Clearwater, Fla –(February, 2007) —Long-term drought conditions remain prevalent in the Tampa Bay region as surface water conditions continue to deteriorate. January rainfall was about 1.3 inches below normal across the region. Surface water conditions varied in the Hillsborough River–between 60 percent and 100 percent below normal–and the Alafia River flows were about 45 percent below normal. The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir stands at less than 2/3 full at 9.80 billion gallons. The Southwest Florida Water Management District declared a Level II Water Shortage for the entire 16-county area in January.

Above-normal rainfall will be necessary to assist in lowering demands in the region, and long-term above-normal rainfall throughout the region will be needed to improve river flows and available supplies.

For more information contact Dave Bracciano or Alison Adams at 727-796-2355