Drought and the Dry Season

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When it comes to weather in Florida, normally it is dominated by sunny tropical weather, but we have a very diverse climate. One significant aspect of Florida’s weather patterns that demands attention is the dry season, which occurs from October to May. This period can lead to drought conditions, and it’s important to recognize the contributing factors. According to the Florida Climate Center, records show that every decade since the year 1900, there has been at least one severe and widespread drought somewhere in the state of Florida.

Drought conditions in Florida can arise from various factors. An extended dry season often leaves the region drier than normal, directly contributing to drought. Climate patterns like El Niño and, especially, La Niña play a pivotal role in influencing rainfall, leading to even drier conditions.

The Lake Worth Drainage District plays a vital role in managing water resources for about half of Palm Beach County’s population. It is responsible for water supply protection, flood control, and promoting water conservation. By maintaining canal water levels, the Lake Worth Drainage District effectively combats the risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater wells. However, we must understand that drought conditions hinder these efforts and can lead to significant consequences. As stated by Tommy Strowd, Executive Director of the Lake Worth Drainage District, the impacts can be long-lasting. Local fire departments may struggle to access adequate water for firefighting, high-rise condominiums could experience decreased water pressure, landscaping in golf courses and residential areas could be impacted, community lakes might dry up, and farmers could face substantial challenges in irrigating their crops.

As residents, we must take proactive steps to support water conservation during the dry season. Start by educating yourself, we must spread the word about sustainable water practices. Engage your neighbors and community in discussions about responsible water use. Adhere to the guidelines established by local water management districts and respect the irrigation schedules set by many Florida counties to prevent overuse. There are numerous strategies to conserve water. Visit www.lwdd.net/managing-water/water-supply to discover more about the dry season and effective water conservation techniques.

LWDD Helps Save Water

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LWDD Helps Save Water

Florida benefits from an average annual rainfall exceeding fifty inches, with most of this precipitation occurring during the six-month rainy season spanning from May to mid-October. While some of the runoff generated from these rains is directed towards the ocean to prevent flooding, a considerable volume permeates the ground, replenishing the freshwater aquifers that serve as a source for our drinking water, lakes, and wetlands.

An extensive regional water management system is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of large populations in South Florida. This system must effectively balance the water supply demands of urban areas and agricultural activities while simultaneously fulfilling the obligations of flood protection.

Groundwater levels tend to decline gradually during drought due to reduced rainfall and elevated evaporation rates. In such instances, regional water managers seek additional water sources, such as the Water Conservation Areas in the Everglades or Lake Okeechobee. Water from these vital reserves is introduced into the canal network to elevate water levels. This process fosters water infiltration through sandy soils, facilitating groundwater recharge and restoring the groundwater table to its standard elevation, safeguarding drinking water supplies.

Inadequate drainage could compromise public health and safety and lead to flooding and significant property damage. Conversely, improper maintenance of regional groundwater levels could impede the functionality of wellfields, preventing them from supplying water to residential and commercial entities. In severe scenarios, the inland migration of saltwater from the ocean could irreversibly contaminate the drinking water supply, rendering it unsafe for consumption.

The Lake Worth Drainage District’s (LWDD) water conservation initiatives play an integral role in addressing the water supply challenges our region faces. The extensive network of LWDD canals is pivotal in regulating groundwater levels and supporting the hydrological levels of lakes, ponds, and wetlands throughout the area.

The LWDD’s commitment to managing drainage canals at optimal elevations, reconciling water supply requirements, and minimizing ocean discharges whenever feasible is essential to a comprehensive approach to water conservation in South Florida.

Hand under running water

April Is Water Conservation Month!

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April is Water Conservation Month! Did you know conserving water year-round is an integral part of managing and protecting South Florida’s water supplies today and for future generations?

Around 3 billion gallons of water are used every day in Central and Southern Florida by 9 million residents and visitors. Future water demands are projected to increase to approximately 4.1 billion gallons per day by 2040. One of the most effective ways to address increasing water needs is through water conservation.

During Water Conservation Month, the Lake Worth Drainage District joins with local governments to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and the ways we can reduce our water use all year long.

With approximately 50 percent of residential water used for irrigation, it is important to irrigate efficiently. Homeowners can use these simple tips to reduce wasted landscape water:

  • Make sure your rain sensor device is working properly to prevent your irrigation system from running when rainfall is meeting your landscape needs.
  • Set an irrigation timer to run pursuant to your local irrigation ordinance and do not irrigate during mid-day hours when evaporation is the highest. Visit Lawn Watering Restrictions to learn more at https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/landscape-irrigation
  • Install a “smart” irrigation controller that uses weather data or soil moisture information to decide when and how much irrigation is needed for your yard.
  • Fix leaks. Finding and fixing water leaks conserves water, saves money and protects your home from damage.
  • Employ Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles by using low maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices.

All of us have a role in protecting our water resources. Together we can ensure a more sustainable water supply for the benefit of all South Floridians.

C. Stanley Weaver Canal sign at Weaver canal

That’s A Good Question

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Why doesn’t the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) keep the canal water elevations lower in preparation for the storm season? Seems like a good idea, but the LWDD network of canals does more than provide drainage for flood control. LWDD’s water management system helps to protect regional water supplies for all the residents, businesses and agricultural land within its boundary.

During normal operations, canal water levels are maintained to hold water higher than sea level to prevent saltwater from encroaching and polluting existing freshwater wells for numerous municipal water utilities. Once polluted with saltwater the well can no longer be used for drinking water supplies and alternative sources will be needed.

LWDD’s water managers are continually monitoring weather systems and canal levels to proactively respond to heavy rainfall events. In anticipation of a heavy rainfall event, the LWDD water control structures are opened to maintain appropriate water levels in the system for flood control. However, this operation must consider the potential environmental risks. As control structure gates are opened, water is discharged to the ocean and cannot be recovered for water supply. These freshwater discharges may also adversely impact environmentally sensitive areas such as the Lake Worth Lagoon.

For these reasons, drainage is often referred to as a balancing act between flood control protection and supply needs. LWDD has over 100 years of experience in the operation of stormwater management within our boundary. To learn more about LWDD’s water management function, visit our website at www.lwdd.net.

Woman giving the thumbs up sign

Did You Know?

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It takes about 20 gallons of water to produce a pint of beer.

Average household leaks account for nearly 10,000-gallons of water wasted every year.

75% of the human brain is water and 75% of a living tree is water.

Turning off the water when brushing your teeth can save up to 4-gallons a minute.

You can begin to use water wisely by placing a bucket in the shower to catch the excess water to be used for watering your plants.

Children in the first 6 months of life consume seven times the amount of water per pound as the average American adult.

Watering your plants and lawn in multiple short sessions supplies better absorption and avoids runoff.

A garden hose left unattended can pour out 600 gallons or more in a few hours.

Each day, we lose a little more than a cup of water (237 ml) when we exhale it.

During the growing and production of a tomato, 3 gallons of water are needed.

It takes more than twice the amount of water to produce coffee than tea.

97% of the world’s water is salty, 2% is trapped in ice, leaving only 1% for human consumption.

It takes seven and a half years for the average American home to use the same amount of water that flows over the Niagara Falls in one second (750,000 gallons).