Withlacoochee River Update - 5/24/2018

Withlacoochee River Levels and Flows Continue to Rise

 Rainfall:

• Rainfall for our region in 2018 (January through June) has totaled around 29 inches, which is about 6 inches higher than the historical average.
• Compared to last year, this is nearly 9 inches more rainfall during the first half of the year.
• The table below compares monthly rainfall (January through June) for this year, last year and the historical average.

Withlacoochee River:

• More rainfall in 2018 has meant higher river levels and greater flows than we saw during the first half of 2017.
• River levels are currently about a foot higher than they were last July.
• River flows are currently about 2 – 3 times greater than they were a year ago.
• Aquifer levels are also higher and many of the swamplands that border the river, which were dryer this time last year, have water standing in them.
• Even with this increased rainfall, river levels and flows are still within the normal range for this time of year.
• The table below compares current river levels and flows to what they were a year ago.

Water Control Structures and Flooding:

• There are a couple of water control structures that exist along the Withlacoochee River.
• The Wysong-Coogler Water Conservation Structure (originally constructed in 1965) is located just downstream of Lake Panasoffkee and at times is used to conserve water in Lake Panasoffkee and within the Withlacoochee River upstream to around Nobleton.
• The Wysong structure cannot prevent droughts or floods and had no effect on the river during Hurricane Irma last year.
• The Inglis Dam (originally constructed in 1909 at the west end of Lake Rousseau) is used to release excess water to the Gulf through the Barge Canal.
• This structure only affects river levels and flows upstream through Dunnellon and had no effect on the flooding last year near HWY 200, Arrowhead Estates, or points farther upriver.
• Flooding last year from Hurricane Irma was the river’s natural response to 8-12 inches of rainfall that fell overnight on a saturated watershed. That was a unique event.
• Normal rainfall this summer will keep river levels and flows within the normal range over the next several months.

Wysong Structure (looking upstream)

If you have any questions for concerns about this magnificent river, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July!

Mark

Mark Fulkerson, Ph.D., P.E.

Southwest Florida Water Management District

 (352) 796-7211, ext. 4410

(800) 423-1476 (FL only)

(352) 279-4493 (cell)

Mark.Fulkerson@WaterMatters.org

 Withlacoochee River Watershed Initiative