Impact of Drought on Jackson Blue Spring Kris Barrios Northwest Florida Water Management District

Rank Value Year Number of Days Missing Values PeriodRank Two-Year Cumulative Rainfall Historic Rainfall Amounts – Annual and Biennial Record Lows

30-Year Normal Annual Rainfall Total = inches

On June 5, 2007 the NWFWMD responded with a water shortage warning: Order , Issuance of a Water Shortage Warning within the NWFWMD “All users in all classes are encouraged to reduce water use and to conserve water to the maximum extent possible.”

In May 2006, both ground water level and spring discharge drop below average.

Measurements conducted by Karst Environmental Services

Jackson Blue Spring Basin Refinement The previous basin delineation used topographic elevation values with +/-5-foot accuracy resulting in 10-foot contours. The spring basin refinement used LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) elevation data with 0.5- foot accuracy. NWFWMD Staff collected water elevation data from 79 wells. The refinement increased the resolution of the Floridan Aquifer surface contours to 2 feet. water level measurement

LiDAR Elevation Detail Sinkholes Karst Depressions

Long term predictions indicate severe drought conditions ahead for the next few months to several years………..

For more information on the springs of Merritt’s Mill Pond: NWFWMD Technical File Report 07-01: Merritt’s Mill Pond Spring Vent Characterization Questions?