Hydrologic conditions within the district show that while the aquifer is still benefiting from last year’s rain, things are starting to dry out, especially in Orlando and the Upper St. Johns River Basin.

Six projects will share in $699,245 in cost-share funding from the district and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for agricultural projects that promote water conservation and improve water quality in the Silver Springs springshed.

Twenty-seven projects in nine counties will share in nearly $16 million for construction of water supply and water conservation, water quality improvement, flood protection and natural systems restoration projects.

The district Governing Board on Tuesday approved moving forward with contracts for three agricultural projects, totaling nearly $419,000 in cost-share funds, that will reduce water use by 218,537 gallons per day and reduce nutrient loading in the Tri County Agricultural Area (TCAA) of Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler counties.

Nine agricultural projects will share in more than $918,000 from the district to improve water conservation and reduce nutrient loading to area waterways.

Muck dredging in the Eau Gallie River will pause until early June while manatees are most active in the Indian River Lagoon tributary.

Averaging about 10,000 visitors each month, the district’s Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive will celebrate its third anniversary since opening in May 2015.

Trail repairs are underway on sections of the district’s Lake Apopka Loop Trail. The work, which requires closing the lakeside section of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, will repair damage from Hurricane Irma.