With a lack of significant rainfall, drought persists in Southwest Florida

A trail left behind is visible in low water on a pond at Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed at Flint Pen Strand in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The reptile that left the trail may be in the upper right of the frame. As the drought in SWFL persists, low water and dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

An animal trail is seen on a drying pond at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers on Monday, May 11, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

An alligator moves through Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape. Alligators will move over land in search of a better habitat or watering hole and to find mates among other reasons. Photographed using a remote sensor camera trap.

A white tailed deer meanders through a ditch Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

A dried up area is visible Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed at Flint Pen Strand in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Cypress trees that are underwater seasonally are seen at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers on Monday, May 11, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Cypress trees that are underwater seasonally are seen at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers on Monday, May 11, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Ducks line up in a pond at Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed at Flint Pen Strand in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, low water and dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Wildflowers bloom at Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed at Flint Pen Strand in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Wildflowers bloom at Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed at Flint Pen Strand in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

A cypress tree just from dry landscape on lands near Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

An alligator moves through Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape. Alligators will move over land in search of a better habitat or watering hole and to find mates among other reasons. Photographed using a remote sensor camera trap.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

A cypress tree juts from dry landscape on lands near Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.

Scenes from Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Flint Pen Strand Trails in Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 7, 2026. As the drought in SWFL persists, dry lands are visible throughout the landscape.