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Tampa Bay Regional Water Supply and Drought Index November 14, 2008

CLEARWATER (November 14, 2008)— Surface water availability declined to nearly zero and long-term regional drinking water storage conditions started to retreat in the Tampa Bay region in October, as the regions rainfall totals were about 85% below normal for the month.

Surface water flow conditions deteriorated quickly and C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir water began flowing into the system about 6 months ahead of average condition needs.  Regional water facts for October:

  • The Region is entering the fall dry season when rainfall totals are less than the summer rainy season. Rainfall deficits were generally consistent and moderate throughout the region , averaging about 0.3 inches below normal (normal for the region is a little more than 2.5 inches), with rainfall deficits spread throughout the region.
  • Long-term rainfall deficits for the Hillsborough River basin increased about 0.5 inches to about 37 inches and the Alafia River watershed the deficit increased by about 0.4 inches to 17.8 inches.
  • River flows continue to decline, flow in the Hillsborough River was about 78% below normal.
  • Alafia River flow was about 88% below normal in October with daily flow during the last week of the month at less than 5% of normal.
  • Regional water demand in October averaged about 245 million gallons per day (mgd), a  4% decrease over September demand.
  • Daily demand has decreased steadily throughout the month of October, with a decrease of 10 million gallons per day.
  • As of November 11, 2008, 4.58 billion gallons of water remained stored in the Regional Reservoir.

Cooler seasonal weather conditions, along with increased enforcement of water restrictions, reduced irrigation demand.  Significant surface water flow deficits and long-term below normal rainfall continue to exacerbate conditions in the region. To eliminate the current surface water flow deficit problems and provide flows for treatment, consistent and well above normal rainfall is needed throughout the normally drier winter months.

Tampa Bay Water requested that the Southwest Florida Water Management District go to a Level III Extreme Water Shortage.  The Southwest Florida Water Management District entered in to a Level III Extreme Water Shortage for the tri-county area on October 28, 2008. Tampa Bay Water 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. 

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

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