Water shortage leads to warning order for seven counties

The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board approved a water shortage warning order for seven counties in north central Florida as hydrologic trends indicated a pattern of below-average rainfall.

Seven counties are now under a Water Shortage Warning Order in North Central Florida. The counties are Nassau, Flagler, Baker, Clay, Putnam, Marion and Lake Counties. (Teresa Monson/St. Johns River Water Management District) The counties impacted are Nassau, Flagler, Baker, Clay, Putnam, Marion and Lake Counties, according to a press release from St. Johns River Water Management District.

Over the past 12 months, the district recorded an average district rainfall shortage of 9.1 inches. Although these conditions have not reached a dangerous level so far, experts say now is the time to increase awareness of this issue.

“On average, the St. Johns District receives 50 inches of rainfall a year,” said Kraig McLane, technical program manager for the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board. “So when the 12-month average is lower than that, that’s generally something we want to keep an eye out.”

McLane said the seven counties are experiencing low stream flows and low rainfall, and that the warning essentially calls for voluntary water conservation practices to be prepared.