Rain will ease drought, not end it

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Monday's soggy weather is bringing some much needed rain to South Florida. Our area could se several inches between today and Wednesday. The South Florida Water Management District said any rain will help; however, our expected rainfall would only ease the drought, not end it. The rainfall is not expected to have a dramatic effect on West Palm Beach's water shortage, either, according to city spokesman Chase Scott.

The rainfall was enough for the South Florida Water Management District to open the gates at the C-51 canal between Lake Worth and West Palm Beach near Dixie Highway to lower the water level. South Florida Water Management District Spokesman Randy Smith said it's a measure the district takes, when necessary, to prevent flooding.

"The way the system is built when rainfall hits our yards and our parking lots and the local drainage districts, that all gets pushed in to the major canals that we have with the district," he explained. "You've got to figure that's a lot of square miles of stormwater runoff so these canals tend to, in a heavy rainfall, rise very quickly."

The open gates also attracted several anglers to the canal, who said the water flow usually improves fishing.

Smith said the rain should not affect current water restrictions. He advises residents and businesses to continue following the guidelines in their communities.