Tampa Bay Regional Water Supply and Drought Index December 2009

CLEARWATER (December 7, 2009) — Surface water availability declined throughout November with some available flow utilized from the Alafia basin. Rainfall totals across the Tampa Bay region for November were slightly below normal.

River flows declined in Hillsborough River basin but increased mid-month in the Alafia River basin allowing some additional regional reservoir storage. Regional water supply conditions moved from an Extreme Water Shortage into a Phase II Severe Water Shortage condition under Tampa Bay Water’s water shortage mitigation plan, effective September 1.

The region remains under the Southwest Florida Water Management District Phase III watering restrictions.

Water stored in the regional reservoir is at 13.4 billion gallons, and about 86.5% of capacity.

Regional water facts for November:

• Rainfall totals in November averaged about 1.5 inches. Rainfall totals averaged between 1.2 and 2.5 inches, with highest rainfall occurring in Tampa.
  
  
• Long-term rainfall deficits increased for the Hillsborough River basin to 33.7inches and to 22.9 inches in the Alafia River basin.
  
  
• Alafia River flow was 67% of the mean monthly flow for November while the Hillsborough River flow was 48% of normal.
  
  
• Regional water demand in November averaged about 226 million gallons per day, a 2% decrease from October demand.

Rainfall conditions are expected to be wetter than normal during December and January due to the strong El Nino condition. Regional demands are expected to remain below historic levels and river flows are expected to increase.

Tampa Bay Water continues to request the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey and counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco reduce demand and optimize enforcement of water restrictions.

For more information contact Dave Bracciano or Alison Adams at 727.796.2355.

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