ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 is getting a firsthand look at waterways across Central Florida amid reports of low water levels at locations across the area, like:
- Lake Baldwin in Orlando
- Lake Eola in downtown Orlando
- Lake Virginia in Winter Park
- Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs
Have you noticed water levels looking different near you?
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The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is containing a 2,500-acre wildfire along U.S. 41. The road remains open but may have temporary closures. Other closures and current status can be found: https://t.co/VNS4C0Gf3b #EvergladesNationalPark #Everglades #USWFS pic.twitter.com/9rUmJlXhNY
— Everglades National Park (@EvergladesNPS) April 28, 2026
The low water concerns come as drought conditions continue to draw attention across the state. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles to the south, a fire is burning through South Florida’s Everglades National Park — scorching thousands of acres and raising new alarms about the region’s dry conditions.
Check out News 6’s Tylisa Hampton’s video updates from around the area.
CRANES ROOST PARK
At Cranes Roost Park, city officials say they adjusted infrastructure that is already made adapt to various water levels. “We’ve moved the floating stage a little farther out,” said Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz. “It’s designed to float, so when water levels are high, it rises, but when water levels are down, we move it out a little to make sure it’s not hitting the bottom.”
LAKE BALDWIN
The effects are also noticeable at Lake Baldwin Park, where dog owners say they see a difference.
“It (the water) used to be all the way up to the benches, and now it’s not,” said Rachel Bennett, who regularly brings her dog to the park. She added that the water has become shallower in some areas, making it not as enjoyable for her dogs.
LAKE VIRGINIA
At Lake Virginia, a longtime paddler says the lower water levels are revealing what’s usually hidden. “I’m seeing things out in the lake that I couldn’t see before… it’s revealing trees that are out there that have been cut down or docks that are now appearing,” one paddler said.
LAKE EOLA
At Lake Eola Park, the iconic swan boat rides are still drawing visitors, but operators say the experience isn’t as smooth as usual.
“Water levels are a little low, so some of our boats may not be able to float out as they should,” said Yoshi Kanji, a lead worker for the swan boat department. “The bottom of the lake isn’t deep enough for them to depart from the dock.”
Orlando has a report of all data on their lakes, where you can see the lake elevation that some are managed for has gone down.
Sizzling stretch
According to Chief Meteorologist Candace Campos, it’s been an unusually dry stretch across Central Florida, and conditions are only expected to get worse as temperatures climb into the low 90s this week.
The latest drought update shows that most of the region is now dealing with severe to extreme drought, with many areas seeing a rainfall deficit of more than 4 to 5 inches so far this year.
With little rain in the forecast and increasing heat, the situation is likely to intensify.
In fact, it would take roughly 24 to 25 inches of rain over the next three months to completely erase the current drought conditions.