What does the District do to manage water levels?
The District controls water levels according to a schedule set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for various lakes in the Upper St. Johns River Basin project area in Indian River and Brevard counties, and the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin in Lake County. Lake levels are dropped to their lowest just prior to the rainy season. During the drier months, lake levels are maintained at a higher elevation. In addition, the District manages water levels through establishing minimum flows and levels for springs, wetlands, lakes and portions of the St. Johns River. The drastic changes that you may notice from year to year are based on rainfall amounts. In 2004, lake levels were very low during May and June, just as in 2007. But after an unprecedented hurricane season in 2004, lake levels rose significantly, causing flooding in many areas of the District. Most lake levels are rainfall-driven, and the District has limited control of those levels.
