News

2024

November

Governing Board to Meet in Tampa »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North. 

District’s Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve Closed for Hog Hunts Nov. 12-14 »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 12-14.

October

District Awards Grants to Schools in Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion and Sumter Counties for Water Resources Education Projects  »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

District Awards Grants to Schools in Highlands County for Water Resources Education Projects  »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

District Awards Grants to Schools in Hillsborough County for Water Resources Education Projects »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

District Awards Grants to Schools in Manatee and Sarasota Counties for Water Resources Education  »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

District Awards Grants to Schools in Pasco and Pinellas Counties for Water Resources Education Projects »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

District Awards Grants to Schools in Polk County for Water Resources Education Projects »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

District Deactivates Tampa Bypass Canal System  »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has deactivated the Tampa Bypass Canal System and the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) as water levels in the Hillsborough River have declined following Hurricane Milton.

Check Your Irrigation Timer When You ‘Fall Back’ to Standard Time »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers next weekend, which is the end of daylight saving time.

Governing Board Votes to Rescind Water Shortage Order for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties  »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to rescind the Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order enacted in November 2023.

Southwest Florida Water Management District Hurricane Milton Post-Storm Resource »

Many rivers in the Tampa Bay region have been severely impacted by flooding from Hurricane Milton.

Lake Thonotosassa: Setting the Record Straight  »

Despite reports that the District did not take measures to minimize flood risks for Lake Thonotosassa from Hurricane Milton, District structure operators lowered the lake to the maximum amount possible before the storm.

Flint Creek Structure on Lake Thonotosassa Under Water »

The District has been receiving questions about its ability to move water out of Lake Thonotosassa through the Flint Creek water control structure. 

Governing Board to Meet in Brooksville »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. 

Flooding After the Storm »

Some areas of the District are still seeing rising floodwater. Flooding can occur days and even weeks after a storm due to numerous factors. Where, when and how much rainfall occurred are just some of the reasons for post-Milton flooding.

Major Flooding Expected along the Withlacoochee River »

The Withlacoochee River is forecast to reach major flood stage in response to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton. The storm brought significant amounts of rain especially to the headwaters of the Withlacoochee River.

Rumor Control: Lake Jovita »

The District does not control a dam on Lake Jovita in Pasco County and is not releasing water from Lake Jovita. Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton has caused extreme flooding in the region, but it is not related to the release of any water from the lake by the District.

Southwest Florida Water Management District Flood Response Update »

The District continues to monitor lake and river levels and manage its water control structures around the clock during this historic flooding event caused by Hurricane Milton.Lake and River Level Update

UPDATE: District Releasing Additional Water from Medard Reservoir to Protect the Reservoir’s Structural Integrity »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is releasing additional water from the Medard Reservoir into the Alafia River to protect the structural integrity of the reservoir.

Hillsborough Flood Detention Area Continuing to Fill with Floodwaters »

The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA), which is instrumental in preventing flooding from the Hillsborough River in the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa, is continuing to fill with floodwaters due to impacts from Hurricane Milton, resulting in some localized flooding on District-own

District Releasing Additional Water from Medard Reservoir to Protect the Reservoir’s Structural Integrity »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is releasing additional water from the Medard Reservoir into the Alafia River to protect the structural integrity of the reservoir.

District Activates Tampa Bypass Canal System to Help Prevent River Flooding »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System due to anticipated heavy rains from Hurricane Milton to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.

District Raises Activation Level of Emergency Operations Center »

Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 Activation

All District Offices to Close at Noon Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Will Remain Closed Through Thursday Oct. 10 »

All Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offices will close at noon Tuesday, Oct. 8 and will remain closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday Oct. 10 due to potential impacts from Hurricane Milton. 

All District-Managed Campgrounds and Properties to Close at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will close all District-managed campgrounds and properties to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Milton

Water Levels in Lake Tarpon Reduced in Anticipation of Storm Surge from Hurricane Milton »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is releasing as much water out of Lake Tarpon as possible, however anticipated storm surge from Hurricane Milton is expected to overtop the structure.

District Monitors Hurricane Milton »

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation

District Reopens Campgrounds and Properties after Hurricane Helene »

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) land management staff have completed evaluations of all District-managed campgrounds and properties after Hurricane Helene and all trails and day use areas and the majority of campgrounds throughout its 16-county region are no

District Makes Joint Land Purchase with Hillsborough County in the Alafia River Watershed »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Mattaniah Property, in partnership with Hillsborough County, in the Alafia River Watershed. This 629-acre parcel of land adjoins the Alafia River Reserve, which is in exi

September

Public Invited to Help Identify Flood Prone Areas in the Highlands Hammock Watershed in Highlands County »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Highlands County. 

Water Levels in Lake Tarpon Reduced in Anticipation of Storm Surge from Hurricane Helene »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has released as much water out of Lake Tarpon as possible, however anticipated storm surge from Hurricane Helene is expected to overtop the structure.

District Raises Activation Level of Emergency Operations Center »

Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 Activation

District Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Funds Water Resources Projects »

On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board adopted a $231.6 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025, including $86.6 million for Cooperative Funding Initiatives and District grants for water resources projects.

All District-Managed Campgrounds and Properties to Close Wednesday and District Offices Closed Thursday  »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will close all District-managed campgrounds and properties to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region Wed., Sept. 25, at 3 p.m., in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Storm Helene. 

District Monitors Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine »

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation

District to Hold Series of Hog Hunts in 2024-2025, Permits Will Be Available Online »

District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population. 

Governing Board to Meet in Tampa (Note: 3 p.m. start time) »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North.

District Closes Navigation on the Hillsborough River »

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is closing navigation on the Hillsborough River at Structure S-155 to meet safety standards.

August

Governor Appoints Joshua Gamblin and Reappoints John Mitten and Michelle Williamson to the District’s Governing Board »

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Joshua Gamblin and reappointed John Mitten and Michelle Williamson to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board.