Tampa Bay Regional Drought Index (July 5, 2007)

CLEARWATER, FLA — Although some significant rain fell in June, regional rainfall was below normal for the month and surface water conditions were significantly below normal.   Due to regional rainfall deficits between 9 and 12 inches during the period from October 2006 through June 2007, water withdrawals from the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers for use in the Tampa Bay regional water system ceased in March. Withdrawals from the Hillsborough River by the City of Tampa are severely limited, and increased use of regional supplies by the City continues.

Regional water facts for June:

• Flows in the Hillsborough River averaged 75 percent below normal.
• Flows in the Alafia River were about 56 percent below normal.
• The 15 billion gallon C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir continues to supply the region with water at diminishing quantities. The reservoir is less than one fifth-full at 2.95 billion gallons and production from the facility will continue to decline due to low levels.
• June demand averaged around 260 million gallons per day (down 300 in May) due to increased rainfall in the region.

River flows will need to be above normal for seven of the next 12 months to bring reservoir and river supplies back to pre-drought conditions. Tampa Bay Water issued a Level III Water Supply Crisis in June, requiring the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco to reduce demand and increase enforcement of water restrictions.  The Southwest Florida Water Management District area remains in a Level II Water Shortage.