Below-average rainfall and low river levels have forced authorities to start pumping water out of the C.W. "Bill" Young Reservoir six months earlier than usual. Tampa Bay Water, the regional water supplier, said today that rainfall totals in the area were 80 percent below normal in September. Flow rates in the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers were 81 and 85 percent, respectively, below average. ...more

October 7, 2008

Once-a-week watering restrictions will continue for at least five more months. ...more

October 1, 2008

Regional water authorities are expected today to extend once-a-week watering restrictions through February. ...more

September 30, 2008

QUESTION: "The weeping cherry tree that I planted in late March bloomed beautifully and has looked great up until recently. The tree is about 6 feet tall. We have had some very hot, humid weather and a little rain almost daily, maybe an inch per week. Now the leaves are curling up. I don't see any signs of insects, no discoloration, no sap running out. Does it need more water?" - Sibyl J. Gore ...more

September 7, 2008

The sounds of cars splashing through puddles echoed across busy streets all day Sunday. ...more

July 14, 2008

OTHER AREAS AROUND TAMPA GET MORE THAN THREE INCHES ...more

July 13, 2008

Just like a little success or winning makes a lot of problems go away, the same holds true when the rains finally come to a drought-stricken area. ...more

July 3, 2008

It's unusually difficult to know what's right or wrong about drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico... ...more

June 25, 2008

No need to change the timer on that irrigation system just yet. The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board on Tuesday extended once-per-week watering restrictions through Sept. 30. ...more

June 25, 2008

Don't feel guilty if your weekend was a washout, and don't despair if your grass is taller and the weeds are higher by the time you get around to weekly landscape maintenance in a few days. ...more

June 24, 2008