Arcadia's Peace River hits historic low as drought grips DeSoto County

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK)— The Peace River in Arcadia is historically low, measuring less than a foot deep near State Road 70, prompting water restrictions to continue in some parts of Southwest Florida through the summer.

Julian Gaytan's family was thinking about getting a pool, but Florida's historic drought stopped them because of water restrictions. Now, they keep cool in the Peace River near their DeSoto County home.

"The restrictions suck," Gaytan said.

The rainy season has arrived, but Florida's historic drought isn't going anywhere, at least not yet. The Southwest Florida Water Management District extended extreme water restrictions through Oct. 1, warning that public water supplies are extremely low.

The restrictions apply to parts of Charlotte County, including Punta Gorda, and all of DeSoto County. The district is limiting everyone, including people on private wells, to water only once a week between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

The restrictions also require restaurants to serve water only if customers ask for it. The district says its water levels, including rivers and lakes, are continuing to decline as it deals with a rainfall deficit of 11 inches.

Robert Willaford grew up in Florida and says he hasn't seen a drought this bad since the 90s.

"Their water levels are relatively low around this time of year, but I feel like they are extremely low, lower than normal," Willaford said.

It's not all bad news as the kids grab some buried treasure and find a way to make memories out of a historic drought. Owen Willaford found a little baby megalodon tooth.

"They got to do what they got to do. So we all have to deal with it," Robert Willaford said.

The district also extended an emergency order that allows the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority to increase withdrawals from the Peace River until October.