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Aquifer levels remain at a ‘deficit,’ despite recent rains in Central Florida

WaterAtlas.org — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Drought conditions persist in Central Florida, despite recent summer rains.

Not enough rain has fallen to compensate for the existing “deficit” in the underground aquifer system that provides most of the state’s drinking water, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District. An “extreme” water shortage declared by the district in May remains effective, requiring all water consumers — residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural — to take steps to conserve the critical natural resource.

Diving into the data

In Marion County specifically, total annual rainfall is nearly two feet short of where it should be by this time of year.

“When you're that short on rainfall, it takes more than just a few afternoon thunderstorms … to be able to start to refill the aquifer,” said Clay Coarsey, the district’s director of water supply planning and assessment.

For July, total rainfall across the district fell about 1.5 inches short of the monthly average. District-wide, total annual rainfall is sitting more than nine inches below average levels, based on precipitation data from August 2025 through last month.

In Central Florida’s coastal areas, rainfall totals are looking a bit better. Within the district’s 18-county coverage area, only Brevard and Volusia saw monthly rain totals improve in July.

But more precipitation is necessary inland, Coarsey said, where sandy soils allow rain to seep more easily through the ground and into the aquifer system lying thousands of feet below the Earth. “We need that rainfall inland, because that's really the area where we're getting our aquifer recharge.”

Warm seasonal temperatures are also fueling drought conditions. “We have a lot of plants that are growing, a lot of turf that's growing. And a lot of that rainfall is ending up as either evaporation or transpiration that the plants are using,” Coarsey said.

Transpiration is the process of plants taking up water from the soil, then releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves. Separately, about 90% of moisture in the atmosphere comes from water evaporating from ocean, lakes and rivers, according to the United States Geological Survey.

As climate change drives up global temperatures, more water is evaporating into the atmosphere, according to climate scientists — leaving soils and surface water bodies more dry.

How can any one person help?

By conserving water, all Central Floridians can play an important role in helping ease drought conditions, Coarsey said.

Residents of areas covered by the ongoing extreme water shortage should only be watering their lawns one day a week, between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. More details on the district’s watering restrictions are available here.

Another key step is to make sure your irrigation system’s required rain sensor is working. “With the rain that's been coming through, you'll be wasting money and our water resources if you're irrigating shortly after we have a rain event,” Coarsey said.

Sometimes, public irrigation systems using reclaimed water — treated, recycled stormwater and wastewater — will still run during or shortly after it rains. That’s because the utilities using that reclaimed water only have so much storage capacity for it.

“We're trying to be as efficient as we can with all water,” Coarsey said. “But sometimes, just due to operational constraints, we're not as quite as efficient with reclaimed (water) as we'd like to be.”

Where, exactly, is an extreme water shortage in effect?

In Central Florida, all of Flagler, Lake, Marion, Polk and Sumter counties are in an extreme water shortage, as declared by St. Johns and the Southwest Water Management District. Other parts of the region covered by St. Johns may be required to follow other, locally-set water conservation rules.

Beyond the Central Florida region, areas in an extreme water shortage also include:

In the St. Johns district: Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, plus parts of Alachua County.
In the Southwest Florida district: All of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties; portions of Charlotte and Highlands counties; and Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.

Invisible hitchhikers: how ‘forever chemicals’ travel in water

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Grab a cup and scoop up water from Lake Michigan or one of the rivers that feed it. Then hold the water sample up and you’ll see tiny bits of floating particles, including bits of clay, algae and other organic matter that make the water appear cloudy.

These microscopic particles may hold important clues to understanding how a large family of human-made chemicals – called PFAS, or “forever chemicals” – move through one of the region’s most valuable natural resources, said Yin Wang, associate professor, civil & environmental engineering.

The research team of Wang; Shangping Xu, associate professor, geosciences; and Patrick Gorski, a scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; will look at the question in a new study funded with a $259,500 grant from Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Scientists have spent years studying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which persist in the environment and are linked to adverse human health effects. They know the compounds can cling to soil, Wang said, but what isn’t known is whether PFAS chemicals also hitchhike on the countless suspended particles in lakes and rivers.

Attached vs. dissolved

“If PFAS are attached to these particles, they may behave very differently than if they are simply dissolved in the water,” Wang said. Understanding those differences could help researchers identify how PFAS enter the lake and where they are most likely to accumulate.

With water samples collected from the lake and several of its largest tributaries, Wang and Xu will separate the suspended particles and the water and measure the amount of PFAS in each. The results should reveal how much of the contamination is traveling with particles and how much remains dissolved.

The team believes that many PFAS compounds do attach to suspended particles, but not all in the same way, Xu said. The researchers also hypothesize that the chemical structure of different PFAS compounds influences if or how tightly they stick to floating solids.

What rivers can reveal

Comparing samples from Lake Michigan with those taken in tributaries may offer additional insights. Rivers often carry more suspended particles than the open lake, where the much larger volume of water dilutes them. Wind, waves and weather can influence where the particles go, and fish and other aquatic organisms may encounter particle-bound PFAS differently than the dissolved chemicals.

Looking at both data sets, “may allow us to determine how tributary-derived PFAS are redistributed and modified within the lake,” said Xu, whose research focuses on emerging contaminants in the environment, and the development of novel removal technologies.

Today’s environmental models often overlook the distinctions because the necessary data doesn’t exist, Wang added. He hopes this research will fill the gap, providing new information that could improve cleanup strategies.

Wang and Xu previously worked together on a Sea Grant project that investigated how PFAS compounds accumulate and move in groundwater. The pair also hold a patent on a next-generation filtration material specifically designed to target low concentrations of PFAS.

Drought Extremes are Intensifying More Rapidly Than in the Past

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Droughts are becoming an increasing global concern as their impacts intensify. Understanding how climate change affects drought frequency and severity is essential for projecting future drought risk. In this context, the question raised by Helpap et al. [2026]—”are modern droughts unprecedented?”—has a high scientific relevance. Here, 20 ensemble members from a 600-year climate simulation and reanalysis data from the period 1950-2024 are analyzed to place recent droughts in a multi-century context. It is concluded that drought extremes are intensifying more rapidly beyond the range experienced in the past than moderate droughts. Therefore, an increasing likelihood of droughts reaching unprecedented magnitudes is expected in the near future, thus highlighting the urgency for adaptation measures in water resources and environmental management.

Citation: Helpap, P., Brönnimann, S., Hand, R., Franke, J., Raible, C. C., & Stocker, B. D. (2026). Are modern droughts unprecedented? AGU Advances, 7, e2026AV002536. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026AV002536

FEMA Announces $600M for Flood Mitigation Projects

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

FEMA has announced $600 million in fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding through its Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current program. The program provides accelerated post-disaster funding for projects that reduce repetitive flood damage to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-insured properties following qualifying flood disasters or major disaster declarations between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2027. Up to $40 million per disaster is available.

Key objectives include:

Increase community flood resilience and reduce future flood losses
Accelerate mitigation funding so projects can be implemented shortly after flood events rather than waiting for traditional annual grant cycles
Reduce future claims and financial exposure to the NFIP

States, territories, and Tribes apply on behalf of local communities. Application deadlines are established after a disaster declaration, typically 60-180 days after the disaster declaration. Download the Funding Bulletin to learn more.

King Tide Season Is Here. What They Reveal About Florida's Flooding Future

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

South Florida's king tide season begins this week, giving residents and communities a predictable chance to see how high tides interact with streets, stormwater systems and other infrastructure.

King tides, also known as high-tide flooding, are amplified by sea levels rising globally combined with local conditions such as wind and changing coastlines. High-tide flooding already occurs multiple times a year in South Florida and is predicted to increase in frequency and severity as seas continue to rise.

The South Florida Water Management District expects six periods of elevated tides in 2026: Aug. 11–14, Sept. 8–15, Sept. 24–Oct. 15, Oct. 22–Nov. 12, Nov. 22–29 and Dec. 22–27. The highest predicted flooding days of the year could occur near the Oct. 27 full moon, although the amount of flooding will depend on conditions at the time, including rainfall, wind and local drainage.

“King tides are a predictable natural event, but they also provide a preview of the challenges Florida’s coastal communities may face during extreme weather events as seas continue to rise,” said Serena Hoermann, Ph.D., director of Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions and assistant research professor in the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability. “They give communities an opportunity to plan for resilient infrastructure as these conditions become more frequent.”

Hoermann said there are four things Floridians should be aware of during king tides:

Where water collects

King tides can reveal flood vulnerabilities that may not be obvious under normal conditions. Residents can pay attention to where water collects along roads, near storm drains, in yards and in low-lying areas, as well as how long it remains, and how it affects everyday activities such as commuting, going to school and running errands.

Because king tide flooding involves repetitive contact with saltwater, its corrosive effects can damage roads, vehicles, landscaping and other property and infrastructure.

Those observations can help identify vulnerabilities and places where flooding could become more disruptive during heavier rainfall or tropical weather.

What happens when high tides meet heavy rain

An elevated tide can become more consequential when it coincides with heavy rainfall — more than 3 inches in a day — which can occur during tropical storms, hurricanes or even strong daily showers typical during the summer months. When water levels are already high, stormwater systems may have more difficulty moving additional water away from streets and neighborhoods, potentially leaving flooded areas underwater longer.

The same is true when winds push water toward the coast. Local wind conditions can make the difference between relatively minor water accumulation and more significant flooding.

How infrastructure responds

King tides highlight the importance of decisions made long before flooding occurs. Hoermann said communities should account for future flood risk when deciding where to build housing and roads, how to design stormwater systems and how to protect wetlands and other natural buffers. Building codes can also help ensure new development is designed with future conditions in mind.

That kind of long-term planning can be difficult to visualize, particularly when future conditions may look very different from what residents see today.

The cost of flooding

A single flooding event may cost less than a typical insurance deductible, but repeated events add up. Hoermann said the cumulative costs can include lost business for shops, reduced mobility for seniors, delays for first responders and health risks from standing water. Planning for higher water now, she said, is generally less costly than retrofitting neighborhoods or addressing damage after chronic flooding sets in. In the meantime, Hoermann said residents can help by maintaining green space that gives water somewhere to drain, checking city and county websites for information on local flooding, and supporting development and building codes that account for future flood risk.

For more information, contact Brittany Wise at 850-323-0353 or Wiseb@fau.edu.

Southwest Florida Water Management District to Hold Virtual Public Workshop on Ranking Water Bodies

WaterAtlas.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District as well as the establishment of water reservations. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year.

The District will hold a virtual public workshop at noon on Thursday, Aug. 27. Members of the public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting, please click on this link to register https://bit.ly/3SqvGmr. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Teams.

To join the meeting by telephone only, dial (786) 749-6127 and when prompted enter the conference ID: 562 912 452#.

A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. A water reservation defines a quantity of water set aside from the water use permitting process for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. The District’s Governing Board establishes MFLs and reservations as part of achieving the balance between meeting water needs and sustaining Florida’s natural systems.

The adopted minimum flows and levels priority list and schedule for 2025 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2026 list will be published on the site following the Governing Board’s Aug. 25 meeting and will be considered for approval at the Board’s October meeting.

Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Gabe Herrick, Chief Environmental Scientist, at gabe.herrick@watermatters.org or to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL. 34604, no later than Sept. 7.

Tampa Bay Water Opens Applications for Water Conservation and Protection Grant Program

WaterAtlas.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Aug 3, 2026) – Tampa Bay Water is accepting applications for its Water Conservation and Protection Grant Program. The program offers up to $50,000 in funding for local projects that help conserve water, protect drinking water sources and promote environmental stewardship throughout the region. Grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 are available to community groups, nonprofits, schools and universities serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.

"Big impacts often start with a simple idea," said Malique Rankin, public communications specialist. "Through this grant program, we're helping local organizations turn innovative ideas into projects that conserve water, protect our environment and strengthen our communities."

Recent grant recipients have reached thousands of residents and students across the region through innovative projects that promote water conservation and environmental stewardship. Funded initiatives include interactive water education programs, citizen science opportunities, mobile exhibits, public art campaigns, kayak-based environmental learning experiences and community-led restoration efforts. These projects demonstrate how local organizations can make a meaningful impact in protecting the rivers, groundwater and ecosystems that support the Tampa Bay region's drinking water supply.

Important Dates & Application Details:?

Application period open:?August?1,?2026
Deadline to apply:?November?13,?2026, by 5 p.m.?
Grant recipients notified:?December?2026
Grant period:?January through December?2027 (project implementation within that calendar year)?

Why It Matters?
Protecting drinking water resources requires a community-wide effort. Grant-funded projects help educate residents, restore natural habitats and encourage water-saving practices that benefit the region's rivers, wetlands, aquifer and other critical water resources. With more than 2.6 million people relying on Tampa Bay Water's regional system, local conservation and source water protection efforts play an important role in safeguarding the area's drinking water supply for future generations.

How to Learn More & Apply?
Interested applicants can download the application guide and submit proposals at:?tampabaywater.org/grant. Applicants are encouraged to review the program guide, prepare budget worksheets, and submit applications online or via email as directed. Organizations are welcome to reach out to the grant program team for assistance or planning support before applying.?

Temporary closure of Pasco Zone for 2026 regional bay scallop season

WaterAtlas.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

August 06, 2026

Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced a temporary closure of recreational bay scallop harvest in the Pasco Zone. This area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, encompassing the Anclote River.

The FWC is tasked with proactively testing and acting to keep residents and visitors safe. This temporary measure is due to the detection of Pyrodinium bahamense at levels exceeding the safety thresholds established by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. The Pasco Zone may reopen for scallop harvesting once tests show levels have decreased to safe limits.

In the Pasco Zone, scallop harvesting is currently suspended. However, the area is still open for other recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming.

For more information and updates, visit MyFWC.com/BayScallops

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. Additional details on Pyrodinium can be found at MyFWC.com/PyrodiniumBahamense-factsheet.pdf

Red Tide Status Update: August 7, 2026

WaterAtlas.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Red Tide was observed at background to low concentrations in 13 samples from Florida’s East Coast, and background concentrations in seven samples along Florida’s Gulf Coast. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions.

Additional details follow.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, and in Manatee, Charlotte, and Collier counties.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Wakulla County.
Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis observed at background to low concentrations in Nassau County and background to very low concentrations in Duval County.

No Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline or other partners over the past week.

Respiratory Irritation suspected to be related to red tide was not reported over the past week in Florida. For forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast.

Short-term (3.5 day) forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predict northwestern movement of surface waters in most areas and variable transport of subsurface waters from Pinellas to northern Monroe counties.

The next status report will be issued on Friday, August 14. Please check our daily sampling map, which can be accessed via the online status report on our Red Tide Current Status page. For more information on algal blooms and water quality, please visit Protecting Florida Together.

This information, including maps and reports with additional details, is also available on the FWRI Red Tide website. The website also provides links to additional information related to the topic of Florida red tide including satellite imagery, experimental red tide forecasts, shellfish harvesting areas, the FWC Fish Kill Hotline, the Florida Poison Information Center (to report human health effects related to exposure to red tide), and other wildlife related hotlines.

To learn more about various organisms that have been known to cause algal blooms in Florida waters, see the FWRI Red Tide Flickr page. Archived status maps can also be found on Flickr.

Please follow our facebook page for status updates and other interesting facts about red tide and other harmful algal blooms in Florida.

Find Your Next Outdoor Adventure: Edward Medard Conservation Park

WaterAtlas.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Discover the trails, wildlife, and water adventures that make this Hillsborough County park a top outdoor destination

Whether it's a peaceful walk beneath towering oaks, a weekend camping getaway, or the chance to spot an alligator basking along the shoreline, Edward Medard Conservation Park offers something for every outdoor enthusiast. Nestled around a 700-acre reservoir in Plant City, the park is one of Hillsborough County's premier outdoor destinations, blending recreation, wildlife, and natural beauty into an experience that invites visitors to slow down and explore.

A walk through Old Florida

One of the best ways to experience the park is on foot. Shaded trails wind through the park, offering a comfortable escape into nature even during hot summer days. The park features two trails totaling more than 3 miles combined. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll, getting in a morning workout, or bringing your four-legged companion along for the adventure, the trails provide plenty to enjoy. Dogs are welcomed throughout the park when kept on a leash, making it an ideal destination for the entire family.

Along the way, visitors may encounter some of Florida's most iconic wildlife. Bird watchers can spot a variety of native and migratory species throughout the year, while turtles, alligators, and the occasional deer can often be seen near the water's edge. Every visit offers a different glimpse into the diverse ecosystem that makes the park unique.

Take to the water

The heart of Edward Medard Conservation Park is its expansive reservoir, where visitors can spend hours kayaking, canoeing, or casting a fishing line. The calm waters provide an inviting setting for paddlers of all experience levels. Canoes and kayaks can be rented on site at the park's entry station.

Stretching over the water, the park's boardwalk serves as one of the best locations to view wildlife and cast a line. It's not uncommon to see wading birds, turtles, fish, and alligators from the elevated walkway, making it a favorite stop for photographers and nature lovers alike. For guests looking to get an even better view of the water, the park features an observation tower that overlooks the reservoir.

Fishing welcome at Edward Medard Conservation Park

Camping under the stars

For visitors looking to extend their stay, Edward Medard Conservation Park features a campground with accommodations for both RVs and tents. Recent campground improvements have made overnight stays even more comfortable, including a newly paved entrance road and paver trailer driveways that make navigating the campsites easier than ever. Campers can also enjoy a small recreation building featuring an indoor ping-pong table, while an outdoor cornhole game provides another way for families and friends to unwind between adventures.

Whether it's a weekend getaway or a longer escape into nature, camping at Edward Medard offers a relaxing retreat just a short drive from home.

Fun for all ages

Families can find plenty of ways to spend the day together at Edward Medard Conservation Park. Children can let their imaginations run wild at the park's new playground before heading to Sacred Hills, a nature play area that encourages exploration through climbing. The park also features picnic shelters that are perfect for birthday parties, family reunions, and community gatherings throughout the year.

Visitors looking for some friendly competition can enjoy an 18-hole disc golf course that winds through the park's natural landscape or play a game of volleyball on one of the park's two sand courts.

Your next outdoor adventure awaits

Whether you're hiking beneath a canopy of trees, paddling across the reservoir, or camping under the stars, Edward Medard Conservation Park showcases the incredible outdoor experiences waiting to be discovered throughout Hillsborough County.

As the first stop in the County's Conservation Park series, Edward Medard is a reminder that an adventure doesn't require traveling far. Some of Florida's best natural treasures are right in your own backyard.

Ready to explore? Learn more about Edward Medard Conservation Park, including hours of operation and vehicle entry fees, and start planning your next outdoor adventure.