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Tampa Bay Regional Drought Index (April 11, 2008)

CLEARWATER (April 11, 2008)—Surface water availability and long-term regional drinking water storage conditions remained stable but below normal in the Tampa Bay region in March due to two consecutive months of regionally normal rainfall conditions. Rainfall events in February and March improved flow conditions in the Hillsborough River and City of Tampa water purchase from the Tampa Bay Water system has not increased from February purchases. As anticipated, lack of overall surface water required withdrawal of water from the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir.

As anticipated, a short-term change in surface water use protocol required withdrawal of water from the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir.

Regional water facts for March:

  • Rainfall averaged between 2.5 to over 4.5 inches throughout the region in March (between 1 inch below normal in northern Pasco County to over 1 inch above normal in southern Hillsborough County).
  • Long-term rainfall deficits for the Hillsborough and Alafia River watersheds both declined slightly to about 28 and 16 inches.
  • Flow in the Hillsborough River was about 52% below normal. 
  • Alafia River flow is about 31 % below normal in March (average flow conditions provide little regional water during the fall and spring months).
  • Regional water demand in March was about 235 million gallons per day (mgd), consistent with reduced demand conditions in January and February 2008. Lower water demand reflects reduced outdoor water use.
  • As of April 4, 2008, 8.26 billion gallons of water remain in the C.W. Bill Young Regional reservoir. About 1.2 billion gallons were withdrawn in March.

La Niña rainfall conditions continued to be offset by frequent Gulf of Mexico rainfall events, but long-term drought conditions continue to minimize river flow available for withdrawal. Persistence of the long-term below normal rainfall trend, through the normally dry spring months, should keep reservoir and river supplies from returning to pre-drought conditions.

Tampa Bay Water is in a Level II Water Shortage, and continues to request 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 entire 16-county Southwest Florida Water Management District area remains in a Level II Water Shortage.

For more information contact Dave Bracciano or Alison Adams at 727.796.2355.