Mar 7, 2009 7:25 am US/Eastern
South Florida Drought Conditions Could Worsen
WESTON (CBS4) ―
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Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake in the U.S., the headwaters of the Everglades and the source of most of South Florida's drinking water.
CBS
South Florida water managers held a briefing Friday to discuss the region's deepening drought. The rainfall deficit has reached more than half a foot with several months to go before the wet season begins.
"Water levels across the 16-county District are declining, and if adequate rain does not fall, the stage is set for drought conditions to worsen," according to a SFWMD news release.
Currently, Lake Okeechobee water levels are more than twelve and a half feet, which is why the SFWMD is closely monitoring water levels and is urging residents and business to conserve water and follow landscape irrigation restrictions to stretch the public supply.
The lake is a backup drinking water source for 5-million people. At 12.61 feet above sea level, the lake is currently two and a half feet higher than last year; however, it is nearly two feet below its annual average.
That means many people's yards are parched. "I don't know at all if this will come back," said Jack Thomas of Hollywood. "I'm kind of resigned to having to redo it." Eyeing his lawn, Jack made a conscious decision not to water, "I'd rather save the water. You can always do something about your lawn."
As a result, South Florida remains on twice-weekly lawn watering restrictions.
Click here for more information on current watering restrictions.
Certified arborist John Harris points out that yard plants are taking an even bigger beating because this has been a windy winter. He warns that some plants many not survive. "Be ready," he advises, "because some of your plants… weren't water-wise plants. "
The lack of rain has also made much of the state very, very dry and the risk of wildfires is extremely high. Both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are ranked at "severe" risk of wildfire – the highest level—on the state Division of Forestry's scale. The state's wildfire season usually starts in March and officials want to make the public aware of the tinder-dry conditions.
Rainfall in the district has been a fourth of the average amount since December. South Florida's extended drought last year ended when Tropical Storm Fay gave Florida a good soaking but now there are new concerns.
Forecasters don't see much rain in the near future and South Florida is expected to remain very dry.
(CBS4's Lisa Cilli contributed to this report.)
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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