Maybe you’d like to come to the Workshop on “Drought Conditions and Review of the District’s Water Shortage Process” that the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) is holding. That’s this Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 9 AM in Live Oak, after the SRWMD Board meeting.

If I’m not mistaken, a drought declaration by the Suwannee River Water Management District would mean numerous water withdrawal permit holders would have to reduce their withdrawals.

Packet: SRWMD Board, Live Oak, FL 2025-12-09, plus Workshop on Drought Conditions

Also, Board agenda item 26. Water Resources Division Updates, will probably include an update on the Water First North Florida billion-dollar aquifer recharge project. It would pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville to wetlands in the Suwannee River Basin, and from there into sinks to recharge Ichetucknee Headspring and maybe others. Limiting water withdrawals would be less expensive and more effective, without risking contaminating our springs and aquifers with PFAS and other chemicals that wastewater treatment does not remove.

Two weeks ago I asked, Why hasn’t SRWMD declared a drought yet?

Already then, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire Suwannee River Basin in both Georgia and Florida was in drought.
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?Southeast

Conditions have only gotten worse since then.

Map: Southeast 2025-12-02 –U.S. Drought Monitor

Table: Statistics 2025-12-02 –U.S. Drought Monitor

A few inches of rain this weekend may lighten the drought, but that’s not enough to end it.

With the Floridan Aquifer and intermediate aquifers already low, reducing withdrawals would be prudent before some wells run dry and sinkholes appear.

Don’t forget to comment about the Water First North Florida aquifer recharge project.

WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA
PDF

The SRWMD Board packet is on their website in two parts:

• https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1721
• https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1722

Copies are on the WWALS website.

Images of each page are below, starting with the agenda.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

Public Comment, Consent Agenda, Hydrologic Conditions Report
PDF

Agriculture, Finance, Permitting, Env. Projects, Outreach, Land Acquisition
PDF

Land Management, Water Resources Executive Office
PDF

Video and Definitions
PDF

Workshops: Smart Soaker, Drought Conditions
PDF

Minutes-2025-11-12

Page 6
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Agricultural Cost-Share Task Work Assignment with Sanchez Farms, LLC, Dixie,

This project is located in the Suwannee Basin Management Plan, Eastern and Western water supply
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Agricultural Cost-Share Task Work Assignment with Herman Sanchez III, Dixie,

This project is located in the Suwannee Basin Management Plan, Eastern and Western water supply
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Agricultural Cost-Share Task Work Assignment with SanRiver Farms, LLC, Suwannee county

This project is located in the Suwannee Basin Management Plan, Eastern water supply planning area,
PDF

MEMORANDUM: October 2025 Financial Report

Section 373.553(1), Florida Statutes (F.S.), authorizes the delegation of authority by the
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget

format preliminary budget by January 15, 2026
PDF

MEMORANDUM, Permitting Summary Report, November 28, 2025

ERP Applications Received and ERPs Issued
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Agriculture and Environmental Projects Monthly Report

Page 37
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Task Work Assignment 23/24-166.02, with Black & Veatch Corporation

Page 39
PDF

MEMORANDUM: 2026 Federal Emergency Management Agency Risk Mapping and Planning Program Five-Year Business Plan

SRWMD has been FEMA map partner for more than 20 years.
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Outreach and Communications Activity Summary

Page 41
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Land Acquisition and Disposition Activity Report

Page 43
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Resolution 2025-16 Sale of Nature Coast Lots 16 and 17 to Mark Willis, Gilchrist County

Page 46
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Resolution 2025-17 Sale of Suwannee Run Shores Tract 10 to Harold G. Sharp, Dixie County

On October 22, 2025, Harold G. Sharp, offered $18,000 for Parcel 170100. A 8.0000000, 0.0000000
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Governing Board Directive Number 25-0009, Land Acquisition and Surplus Guidelines – Revised

On July 08, 2025, the Governing Board approved Governing Board Directive (GBD) 25-0004
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Land Management Update Report

Survey
PDF

MEMORANDUM: Amend Management Agreement 07/08-254 with Alachua County to add +/- 21 Acres of the Lake Alto Tract, Alachua County

Page 20
PDF

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

Short Link: