he rainfall average for the month of September across the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) was 5.16 inches, roughly a third of an inch less than the long-term average of 5.46 inches. For the 12-month period ending September 30, the rainfall average across the District was 52.5 inches, compared to the long-term average of 54.6 inches. The area around Manatee Springs in Levy County received rainfall around 15 to 20 inches above normal during the 12-month period ending September 30.

For the third month in a row, Jefferson County received the least amount of rainfall about 3.8 inches, of all counties in the District.  Also, for the third consecutive month the lower Steinhatchee and Suwannee River basin continued to receive well above average rainfalls.  The highest gaged monthly rainfall total of 9.00 inches was recorded at Fanning Springs in northwest Levy County.  The highest daily total 3.22 inches was also recorded there. 

Streamflows across the District generally maintained levels from the previous month.  The Upper Santa Fe River was recorded in the above normal range.  Waters Lake in Gilchrist County rose by more than 3.2 feet due to the heavy rains in the south of the District.  Lake Sampson in Bradford County receded 0.6 feet after its sharp rise during August.

Groundwater levels in the Upper Floridan aquifer wells generally increased in the District during the month of September.  Parts of the Aucilla river basin groundwater levels dropped into the low category while the aquifer levels along the Upper Santa Fe River corridor increased to the high category. Overall, spring flows held steady during September.