Press Release
By St. John’s River Water Management District
09-28-23
New model to benefit Districts’ joint work
As part of their ongoing work to ensure a sustainable water supply and protect water resources, the St. Johns River and Southwest Florida water management districts are jointly developing a new groundwater model. Known as the Central Springs Model, this tool is being designed to quantify the effects of current and future groundwater withdrawals on the water resources within north-central Florida.
The districts use models in their regulatory work, to help determine minimum flows and levels (MFLs) to preserve the health of water bodies, to warn about potential impacts from project construction and for water supply planning. The models depend on new and historical data, valuable details collected by district teams engaged in ambient monitoring throughout their jurisdictions. Models are designed to answer specific questions and once the question is identified, the pertinent data are gathered, converted to the proper data type/format for use by the computer model, compared against known factors to ensure accuracy, peer reviewed by outside experts, and simulated to provide an answer. Huge volumes of information are entered into already rigorously tested and proven models to customize each model for the region’s unique environmental and geological features.
As part of the development process, the districts seek public comment prior to adopting a new model. A draft version of the Central Springs Model is expected to be complete and ready for review in October. Once released for review, the districts will accept comments on the draft Central Springs Model through 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2023. Stakeholders may submit comments using an online comment tool or via email. Additional information and draft documents will be posted to this page.
Once adopted, the Central Springs Model will replace the Northern District Model (NDM) and the Volusia Model for water supply planning, MFLs development and consumptive use permitting within the St. Johns District. In the Southwest Florida District, the Central Springs Model will be used for MFL development and groundwater evaluations previously performed with the NDM for larger quantity permits to assess potential adverse impacts to springs.
To receive notifications on activities related to the Central Springs Model, email your name and affiliation (if applicable) to [email protected].
District Lab processes important water data
In our latest episode of WATERSPOUT, we’ll chat with staff who have decades of experience processing information about water. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Data Warehouse Administrator Curtis Frysinger and Lab Manager Chuck Faulk tell us about their fascination with the chemical properties of water, what it tells us about our region’s water and how their work helps meet the District’s mission to protect water resources.
Watch on YouTube and the District’s website. Audio is also available on Apple, Spotify, Audible and other podcast platforms.
| ICYMI: Permitting peer review meetings planned for October Fall open house/peer review meetings are scheduled in October. The meetings are focused on providing updates on the District’s permitting program and engage with the regulated community and other stakeholders. Meetings will be held in-person and virtually at the District’s service centers in Jacksonville, Apopka and Palm Bay. Find details on our website at www.sjrwmd.com/meetings-announcements. |
| Did you see our video!? For Trail Tuesday, we featured our Stokes Landing Conservation Area. This conservation area in St. Johns County was the first District acquisition within the coastal basin of the Tolomato River, purchased to protect water resources, wetlands and wildlife habitat. Join us for hiking, bicycling, nature study and more. Don’t forget to check out the observation platform to see wildlife and a great view of the marsh that overlooks the GTM-NERR. |
| Like and follow to see more. Check out our latest videos on our YouTube channel. |
Explore more information about the District by reading stories and press releases on our Newsroom page and in StreamLines.
