Florida Drought 2007, Drought Photos
Posted by Jeff Gammons on 17 Mar 2007 at 11:25 am
Tagged as: Florida Weather, Storm Photography, Drought
For the last several weeks I have noted in some of my blog posts that we are having a really bad drought this year so far, and it was only going to get worst unless we received some substantial rainfall. Well it has become much worst and now South Florida Water Management is starting mandatory water restrictions, with fines up to $500.00. SFWM said this is a serious situation, and water levels in Lake Okeechobee are almost 5 feet below normal. Lake Okeechobee is the main water source for all of South Florida. With water level so low they are also worried about saltwater intrusion into public wells could possibly soon become a major issues as well.
Starting next week, Phase One water restrictions will take effect for residents from Palm Beach County to the Keys. Outside watering will be limited to Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for people with odd-numbered addresses. Even numbered homes can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Lawn watering will only be allowed from 4-until-8 in the morning. Hand-watering from 5-until 7 in the evening.
Wildfires are also becoming more active each day, and later this month and into April will likely have many large wildfires
as the drought is expected to continue through until the rainy season begins in late April early May. There have been already some impressive wildfires around Lake Okeechobee in the last few weeks with all the dry weather conditions and dead brush.
Many of the fresh waterways are slow low in water levels, that normal boat traffic is limited to very small boats, if even that in some locations. The photos in this blog post, are from the water canals in Okeechobee City, FL. Normally the water level would be near the top of the seawall in the photos, but as you can see, its several feet below normal, leaving boats tied up to docks, high and dry in the mud. These waterways are normally very busy with daily fishing boat traffic, especially this time of year during the busy late winter fishing season on Lake Okeechobee and surrounding water ways.
Expect more drought weather headlines in the coming weeks from all of Florida as the drought of 2007 continues. To be honest, were going to need a Tropical Storm or two, or even a weak Hurricane to catch up on the needed water levels.
Related Post: Florida and Lake Okeechobee Drought Photos and Video Clip - April 2007
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
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Great pics Jeff. I want to get out and shoot pics so much I can taste it. But as I write this I have 15 chapters to study through and the book sitting in front of me. (I say all this through clenched teeth)
After next week i have a couple weeks off though. Not really looking forward to a dry summer, but I am looking forward to hurricane season and those good ole late afternoon sumertime thunderboomers. I will get that review going in between breaks today. Seems like I have to out do the Dew and Jessica. Hmmm, maybe give it a celebrity roast feel to it?
Rick
Hey hey hey… Don’t study too hard and pass out! Before you know it, air mass summertime thunderstorms will invade southern Georgia.
Looking forward to the review. Now get back to your 15 chapters.
Keep that coffee flowing, Rick, sounds like quite a bit of material to digest. I’m confident that you’ll do well. You’ve invested too much effort at this point not to do well. Oh… and btw, you will NEVER out do the Dew.
You keep dreaming, though. A-ight?
Are you sure about the thunderstorm prospect, Jeff? I am beginning to think that we live in a high and dry bubble.
THe Dewsrop Bubble!
Ahhh,,Coffee..Yes Dew is has been freely flowing for a while now. Day 2 of the study marathon is in full swing. Jeff, I finished up that review, hope you like it. I beleive i will take a break this late afternoon and try and shoot some pics and then back to the books. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Rick
Looks great Rick! Everyones doing a great job. Don’t forget to send the $2 shipping and your pick of DVD.
wow.
i live in okeechobee and at my grandmothers house well right across the street at least , is taylor creek and let me tell you it looks terrible.you can basically just walk right across.i have found fishing rods , jewelry , wood ,sheet metal,pots,pans ;you name it I`ve probably found it
I`m at school now online in the library , so i`ll comment back later
Hi Gabriella! Welcome to my blog. I live too in the Taylor Creek area. The water levels here are very low too.
Thanks for stopping by.
We are coming to Taylor Creek from Missouri in Jan and Feb of 08. Should we not come? Is it totally dry there? We are planning to fish. We have no idea what we are getting into. We plan to stay a month!
Hi Judy -
The water levels in Taylor Creek have come back up since Mid October. If the drought continues, there is a good chance that the water levels will drop again by Jan-Feb.