Blog Archive - 2016

Experts Educate on Water Reuse

: In its ongoing effort to educate on the benefits of alternative water supplies, the District recently hosted a workshop on water reuse, which is when reclaimed water is used for a direct beneficial purpose. “…

Public Affairs Staff Take on Leadership Roles Across the State

: Several staff members in the Public Affairs Bureau (PAB) are using the leadership skills they’ve built at the District to now direct public relations professionals across the state.  Three PAB employees have…

Tour the New Wetland Treatment Project

: Visitors can get a free look at the restoration of the Three Sisters Springs property this Saturday at an open house. The Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Inc. has partnered with the…

District Restored Eroded Shoreline Around Springs

: Editor’s note: Read in tomorrow’s blog how you can visit Three Sisters Springs for free this weekend. The District recently completed the Three Sisters Springs Bank Stabilization Project in Crystal River,…

Florida DEP Awards Millions for Projects to Protect Springs

: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants for water-quality enhancement projects in Citrus County to protect the health of Kings Bay and Crystal…

District Scientists Set Up Wetland Monitoring Sites

: District scientists have been working in conjunction with staff at the St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts to set up wetland monitoring sites as part of a regional monitoring program…

FL DEP Awards Millions for Projects to Protect Springs

: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants for water-quality enhancement projects in Citrus County to protect the health of Kings Bay and Crystal…

Staff Members Help Hernando County Resident

: Two weeks ago, Spring Hill resident Beverly Patton went to the Weeki Wachee Preserve to rest and read her Bible, but the August afternoon sun soon started to wear on her.  “I walked in and I was…

District Staff Respond to Hurricane Hermine

: As Hermine descended on Florida’s west coast earlier this month, District staff sprang into action to help respond to and prevent flooding from the first hurricane to hit the state since Wilma in 2005…

Governing Board Votes to Fund Triangle Ranch Conservation Easement in Manatee County

: The District’s Governing Board approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement of more than 1,088 acres of Triangle Ranch in Manatee County, in the upper Myakka River watershed. This action will…

Governor Announces Appointments to District's Governing Board

: Governor Rick Scott appointed two new board members to the District’s Governing Board and also re-appointed a board member. Mark Taylor and Michelle Williamson were appointed to the board. Taylor represents…

Project Update: Get the Latest Look at the Three Sisters Springs Bank Stabilization Project

: Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors could easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to collapse. It…

Citizens Snatch Up Free 'Rock Star' Grass

: Citrus County residents recently benefited from a grass giveaway.  About 50 people left with more than 1,000 peat pots of eelgrass grown as part of the District’s Hunters Cove Revegetation Project…

District Employee Pursues Passion for Paranormal in Print

: At 16 years old, Sandie Will, geohydrologic data manager, set out to pen her first work of fiction – a haunted house story based on her love of horror flicks. Years later, her passion for the…

A Conversation With Governing Board Chair Randy Maggard

: The District’s new Governing Board Chair Randy Maggard sat down to chat about how his personal and professional experiences have influenced his decisions. He also discussed his priorities as Chair…

Build Your Own Rain Barrel

: With the rainy season upon us, now is a great time to think about adding a rain barrel to your yard. Harvesting rainwater with a rain barrel helps supplement irrigation for a small cost. Storing rainwater…

Governing Board Appoints Brian Armstrong as Executive Director

: The Governing Board appointed Brian Armstrong as executive director at today’s monthly Board meeting. Robert Beltran, who announced his resignation earlier this month, will stay on temporarily to assist in the…

Project Update: District Restoring Eroded Shoreline Around Springs

: Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors could easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to…

Homeless Teen Builds New Life at District

: For Zakk Simpkins, a tradesworker in the Operations & Land Management Bureau, life hasn’t been easy. He grew up in a rough neighborhood in Lake Panasoffkee, FL and was abandoned by his dad at a young age…

Summer Season: Watch the Weather, Wait to Water

: The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.”  During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards…

New Officers Selected for Governing Board

: The District’s Governing Board elected new officers to the board.  Randall S. Maggard was elected chair of   the Governing Board. Maggard represents Pasco County and is vice president of Sonny’s…

District Springs Team Helps Clean Rainbow River

: Sometimes someone’s trash can be a treasure. Members of the District’s Springs Team came up winners by finding an orange couch cushion while participating in a cleanup Saturday at the Rainbow River. About 175…

District Reports Gains in Seagrass Coverage in Charlotte Harbor

: Charlotte Harbor has about 985 acres of seagrass beds, according to the 2014 seagrass mapping study by the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program. The District’s study results show…

Tampa Development Earns Florida Water Star℠ Certification

: Tampa residents have new living options that offer water efficiency and affordability. District leaders celebrated Earth Day last week by awarding Florida Water Star℠ Community certification to the latest…

District Dedicates Largest Coastal Restoration Project in Tampa Bay

: Atop Hillsborough County’s newest “mountain,” visitors got a glimpse of the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. Community leaders helped the District dedicate the Rock Ponds…

Citrus Wins for Best Tasting Drinking Water

: Citrus County Utilities earned this year’s bragging rights for having the tastiest tap water in West Central Florida. The utility won the annual Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest for Florida…

District to Restore Eroded Shoreline Around Springs

: Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors can easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to…

Celebrate Water Conservation Month

: Outdoor water use typically accounts for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households. You can reduce your outdoor water consumption by taking a few simple steps. While the District advocates…

Governing Board Recognizes Springs Coast Steering Committee

: The Governing Board declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month at today’s Governing Board meeting. The move is part of the District’s ongoing effort to restore and protect area springs and encourage…

Reservoir Provides Increased Storage of Reclaimed Water

: Ships may be christened with bottles of champagne, but reclaimed reservoirs are christened with shots of tap water. At least that was the good luck ceremony performed at the recent celebration for the Boyette…

Check Those Timers When Springing Forward

: When you reset those clocks this weekend for the start of Daylight Saving Time, don’t forget to check the timers on your irrigation system controllers. Sunday is when we reset the clocks forward one hour. The…

District Staff Help Facilitate Environmental Competitions

: They tackled topics like aquatics and invasive species.  Hundreds of students from several counties recently participated in the 2016 Tampa Bay and Nature Coast regional envirothons. The competition is a…

Pilot Project Brings Benefits to Hunters Cove

: District scientists already are seeing benefits from the Hunters Cove Revegetation Pilot Project after just a couple months.  Senior environmental scientists from the District, with assistance from…

Residents Volunteer Time to Plant Trees

: About 50 volunteers recently came out to Conner Preserve in Pasco County to plant 2,000 longleaf pine seedlings over 5 acres of restored sandhill.  Volunteers were members of Lutz Boy Scout Troop…

Weather Awareness Week Reminds Residents to Stay Safe During Flooding

: This is Severe Weather Awareness Week and while Florida residents are familiar with tropical storms and hurricanes, it doesn’t take a named storm to cause flooding.  Florida is vulnerable to…

Documentary Highlights District's Work With Springs

: The District’s work with springs is receiving worldwide attention as a Paris production crew recently documented some of the District’s projects.  One Planet Productions, based in France, writes and produces…

Program Assists Farmers

: Area farmers are seeing big benefits from joining the District’s FARMS program. Farmers recently shared their success stories in a new District video on the Facilitating Agricultural Resource…

College Students Visit District

: About 20 Eckerd College students recently got an up-close look at one of the structures that helps protect the Tampa area from flooding. The students toured Structure 161 on the Harney Canal. They also met…

First Community Welcome Center Certified Florida Water Star℠

: Starkey Ranch in Pasco County is home to the state’s first community welcome center to be certified Florida Water Star℠. The welcome center is a visitor’s first stop to get information on the new 2,…

District Upgrading Vertical Datum

: The District is nearing completion of its effort to upgrade the datum, or starting point, used to record water level elevation. The upgrade will improve accuracy of water elevation, which is measured in feet…