Water management officials say Poe Springs has stopped flowing

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (WCJB) — Hydrologists across North Central Florida are still monitoring the ongoing drought, and they’ve recommended that people conserve water to help restore Florida’s aquifer.

But many wonder, if it rains almost every day, how are we still in a drought?

The fact that the Floridian Aquifer is dwindling isn’t a new discovery.

Research published in the 2016 Journal of Earth Science and Engineering reported a 32% decline in spring inflow from Florida’s aquifer.

Recently, the region’s level 4 of 4 drought has improved slightly. Florida’s daily summertime rain has kicked in, but the area is still in a drought with low water levels in rivers and some springs being closed because of a lack of flow.

But why is that, if it’s been raining so often?

The Suwannee River Water Management District’s recent report shows a rainfall deficit over the past year and 30% lower-than-average rainfall for the month of July.

Bill Hawthorne, an aquatic ecologist with the Florida Springs Institute, demonstrates why a little rain isn’t enough to reverse human pressure on the aquifer.

Hawthorne said, “The more groundwater we pump, the less water comes out of our springs. On top of that, we’re currently experiencing a bad drought. And a bad drought is like turning down the hose. Now with little rain, and groundwater pumping, Poe Springs has stopped flowing.”

Restoring the Floridian Aquifer will take the help of Mother Nature’s rainfall and conservation within the community.

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