News
2024
October
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.
Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties Remain on Once-Per-Week Watering Restrictions »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to extend one-day-per-week watering restrictions again for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties until Dec. 31 due to ongoing efforts to refill the regional reservoir.
Water Management Districts Participate in Joint Public Workshop on Ranking Water Bodies »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a virtual joint public meeting at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept.
Governing Board to Meet in Brooksville »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville.
District to Hold Virtual Public Workshop on Ranking Water Bodies »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District as well as the establishment of water reservations.
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 Tropical Storm Debby.
Ongoing Water Management District Efforts Protect the Weeki Wachee River »
– As the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) continues its efforts to protect the Weeki Wachee River, the public should be aware they may see District staff and contractors working in and along the river, including the port
District to Host Career and Internship Fairs in Brooksville and Tampa »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will host career and student internship fairs to share information about the many career fields and employment opportunities at the District.
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 in response to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.
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 Federal safety standards.
Water Levels in Lake Tarpon Affected by Storm Surge »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has released as much water out of Lake Tarpon as possible, however storm surge from Hurricane Debby is overtopping the structure and water cannot be released until the storm surge recedes.
All District-Managed Campgrounds and Properties to Close Saturday, Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. »
– 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 Saturday, Aug.
District Monitors Invest 97L »
– Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation
July
District Approves Proposed Rolled-Back Millage Rate Saving Taxpayers $9.5 Million »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board voted to decrease property taxes by adopting a proposed rolled-back millage rate of 0.1909 mill for the fiscal year 2025 budget.
Governing Board to Meet in Tampa »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, July 23 at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North.
District to Hold Virtual Public Meeting on Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Land Management Plan »
– The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a virtual public meeting at 4 p.m., Thursday, July 25, to discuss updates to the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Land Management Plan.