FLORIDA RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 27, 2025

As the latest observations of the nation's dams and reservoirs come in, a comprehensive picture of our water storage infrastructure is beginning to emerge. On a broad scale, we're witnessing a mix of surpluses and deficits in reservoir levels, reflective of the diverse climatic and hydrological conditions across different regions. For instance, Lake Mead in Nevada and Lake Powell in Arizona, two of the country's largest reservoirs, are experiencing alarmingly low levels, with Lake Powell's storage dipping to less than half of its average. Conversely, Lake Almanor in California and Lake Sonoma are seeing above-average storage levels, which can be attributed to recent rainfall and strategic water management.

Diving deeper into the data, several reservoirs such as the Dillon and Granby in Colorado are hovering around their average storage values, indicating steady water supply in those areas. However, in places like New Mexico, significant discrepancies are present, with Heron Reservoir's storage at a fraction of its average, while Brantley Lake exceeds its typical levels. This variability stresses the importance of localized water management strategies and the need for adaptable policies to address both surpluses and shortages.

These contrasting conditions often relate back to the amount of precipitation, snowpack levels, and river flows that feed into these water bodies. In regions like the Pacific Northwest and parts of California, increased snowpack and precipitation have bolstered reservoir levels, providing a buffer against drought conditions. On the other hand, prolonged droughts in the Southwest have led to decreased river flows, resulting in lower reservoir storage levels.

As water management researchers and hydrologists comb through the data, the implications for agriculture, urban consumption, and ecological preservation are significant. Reservoir levels directly impact water availability for irrigation, drinking water supplies, and habitats for aquatic life. The current observations underscore the need for sustained monitoring and intelligent resource management to ensure water security in the face of ever-present climatic uncertainty.

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.