Upper Peace River Proposed Minimum Flows 2026

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is currently developing new minimum flow standards for the Upper Peace River. Minimum flows are limits established by the District’s governing board for surface water courses and are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by water withdrawals.  

The Upper Peace River, which is the northernmost section of the Peace River, begins at the confluence of Saddle Creek and the Peace Creek Canal, just north of Bartow. From there, it flows south through Polk County into Hardee County, reaching Zolfo Springs.