Tampa Bay Regional Drought Index - May 2007

CLEARWATER (May 3, 2007)—Persisting drought conditions in the Tampa Bay region are causing  a continuing slow but steady decline in area surface water flows. As a result of the deteriorating conditions, water is no longer being withdrawn from the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers for use in the Tampa Bay regional water system. Additionally, withdrawals from the Hillsborough River by the City of Tampa have been severely curtailed.

Regional water facts for April:

• Flows in the Hillsborough River averaged 71 percent below normal.
• Flows in the Alafia River were about 69 percent below normal.
• The 15 billion gallon C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir continues to supply the region with water. The reservoir is now less than half-full at 6.14 billion gallons.
• Dry conditions in May have already driven the regional water demand over 300 million gallons per day due to increases in outdoor water use.

The onset of an above normal summer rainfall pattern will be necessary to improve river flows and available supplies. A Level II Water Shortage, issued by both Tampa Bay Water and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, remains in effect for the entire area.