FLORIDA RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Across the nation, dams and reservoirs play a crucial role in water supply, agricultural irrigation, flood control, and recreation. Currently, there is a notable variance in storage levels, reflecting diverse hydrological conditions. For instance, Lake Powell, straddling Arizona, exhibits storage levels significantly below average, with current storage at 6,058,625 acre-ft compared to the historical average of 14,671,042.6 acre-ft, indicating potential water supply stress and hydroelectric power generation challenges. In contrast, Utah Lake in Utah is experiencing a surplus, with storage levels rising to 690,563 acre-ft from the average of 629,839.45 acre-ft. These variations are indicative of broader environmental patterns, such as precipitation, snowpack conditions, and river flows that feed into these critical water bodies.

On a more granular level, California's Lake Almanor and Lake San Antonio are above their historical storage averages, possibly a result of targeted conservation measures and above-average precipitation. Conversely, Colorado's Dillon, Granby, and Green Mountain reservoirs are all reporting storage below average, which may raise concerns about water availability for the upcoming dry season. Similarly, New Mexico's Heron and El Vado reservoirs are well below their average storage levels, pointing to ongoing drought conditions that could affect local water restrictions and management decisions. As hydrologists and water management experts continue to monitor these vital resources, the data underscores the importance of adaptive water management strategies to navigate the variability and challenges posed by changing climatic conditions.

Florida has a number of reservoirs and dams, but their importance for water storage is limited due to the state’s flat terrain and abundant rainfall. Major reservoirs include Lake Okeechobee, the Apalachicola River Basin, and the St. Johns River Basin. These reservoirs are primarily fed by rainfall, with snowpack and mountains being irrelevant in this area. The hydrology of Florida is heavily influenced by its subtropical climate, with wet summers and dry winters. Drought conditions are common, and record low levels have been observed in lakes and rivers during prolonged dry spells. Seasonal trends show that water levels tend to be lowest in the dry season (November to April) and highest in the wet season (May to October). Overall, while reservoirs and dams play a limited role in water management in Florida, they are still important for flood control and maintaining water levels during dry periods.

Florida has a number of reservoirs and dams, but their importance for water storage is limited due to the state’s flat terrain and abundant rainfall. Major reservoirs include Lake Okeechobee, the Apalachicola River Basin, and the St. Johns River Basin. These reservoirs are primarily fed by rainfall, with snowpack and mountains being irrelevant in this area. The hydrology of Florida is heavily influenced by its subtropical climate, with wet summers and dry winters. Drought conditions are common, and record low levels have been observed in lakes and rivers during prolonged dry spells. Seasonal trends show that water levels tend to be lowest in the dry season (November to April) and highest in the wet season (May to October). Overall, while reservoirs and dams play a limited role in water management in Florida, they are still important for flood control and maintaining water levels during dry periods.