ELEVATED GROUNDWATER LEVELS RECORDED IN AREAS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT

LIVE OAK, FLA, July 19, 2021 – Post Tropical Storm Elsa, groundwater levels in several counties within the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) have reached high levels. Taylor, Dixie, Lafayette and Alachua counties are seeing groundwater levels near the 100th percentile. Groundwater levels in portions of Levy and Gilchrist counties are also high and reached above the 90th percentile. The elevated levels are due to high rainfall amounts received within the past month.

Rainfall amounts in parts of the District averaged 15 inches over the last month, which is almost twice the District’s long-term average rainfall for June and July. Dixie and Alachua counties received the most rainfall during that period, totaling approximately 17 inches each. 

High groundwater levels put areas at risk for increased flooding should additional rainfall occur. Area citizens are encouraged to plan for alternate ingress and egress routes to their home or business, move low-lying valuables and animals to higher ground and stay alert to heavy rainfall events. 

Residents, visitors and business owners are encouraged to stay up to date with real-time rainfall, river and groundwater levels on the District’s Water Data Portal page at https://mysuwanneeriver.com/507/Water-Data-Portal.  The District also offers a 24-hour voice recording of current river levels by calling 386.362.6626 or 800.604.2272 (FL only).