ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A Central Florida conservation group is raising concerns about the Wekiva River after a recent study showed critically low water flow levels along the 42-mile system.
Mike Cliburn is a board member of Friends of the Wekiva River and said the river and its 34 springs are approaching a crisis.
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“The river does not have enough flow to sustain the ecosystem,” Cliburn said. “They’ve determined that the flows in Wekiwa and Rock Springs are no longer sufficient to support the flow in the Wekiva River.”
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A study released in November 2023 showed the Wekiva River wasn’t maintaining minimum flow levels, which is needed to protect the ecosystem.
Cliburn said groundwater pumping from an increase in development was the likely cause of the reduction in flow levels.
“It’s mainly all the new development; all the new houses, all the new residents that need more water supply,” Cliburn said.
Currently, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) is working to develop a recovery plan, but Cliburn said state law allows for up to 20 years for the plan to achieve minimum flow levels.
“We may have flows in the Wekiva River and the springs reduced for up to 20 years and that’s just unimaginable for us,” he said. “Some of these smaller springs may actually dry up.”
The Friends of the Wekiva River plan to meet with the SJRWMD next month to propose a more aggressive recovery plan of seven years.
The group also encourages residents to take proactive measures to conserve water, such as watering lawns less frequently and installing low-flow shower heads and toilets.
For more details about the Friends of the Wekiva River and their efforts visit FriendsOfWekiva.org.