Methodology for estimating the magnitude, and spatial and temporal variation of irrigation demand on the Floridan aquifer system within the upper East Coast planning area, Florida

A method was developed to estimate the magnitude and spatio-temporal variation of agricultural demand from the Floridan Aquifer System (FAS) in the Upper East Coast (UEC) planning area, Florida. The Irrigation Program (IP) is designed to compute total irrigation requirements and model demand from permitted water sources. Historical Natural Resources Conservation Service well-flow data are used in calibration. The IP is most sensitive to spatio-temporal variation of water levels in major canals and the range of days for the wet and dry season. The magnitude of deficit in simulated and historical withdrawal from the FAS is 199,000 ft3/day. This is within 7% of historical data. A correction factor should be introduced when the IP is linked to a groundwater flow model.