The City of Wildwood in Sumter Counter is known as “the crossroads of Florida” for its central location near several major roadways in the state. Now, it can also add the distinction of tastiest tap water in West Central Florida.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers this weekend, which is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.
Saturday night is when we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the systems operate consistently with year-round water conservation measures.
All 16 counties throughout the District’s boundaries are currently on year-round water conservation measures, with lawn watering limited to twice-per-week unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours. Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties.
Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass:
For additional information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Conservation.
With the citrus industry facing challenges due to hurricanes, greening and the lowest annual production since World War II, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is working to improve services and business processes for citrus industry customers
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North.
To view the Governing Board meeting online, visit WaterMatters.org and click on the “Live Video Stream” link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.
The meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted one week before the meeting, and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meetings & Events Calendar” link.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will host a public workshop Wednesday, Feb. 27, to share information about changes to the current structure operational guidelines for the North Winter Haven Chain of Lakes in Polk County. The meeting will take place at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center’s Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Citrus Hall, located at 700 Experiment Station Road in Lake Alfred.
Lakefront residents of Lakes Conine, Fannie, Haines, Hamilton, Henry, Lowery, Rochelle, Smart and the Peace Creek Canal are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be an open house the first hour of the workshop, followed by a presentation and open discussion.
The public workshop is a continuation of the collaboration between residents who live along the North Winter Haven Chain of Lakes and the District. In February 2018, the District also held public workshops as part of the process of reviewing the operational guidelines. Lakes Conine, Haines and Rochelle are included in the system, but do not have structures.
Members of the public interested in viewing the draft guidelines online or receiving future lake management communications can visit our website at WaterMatters.org/Structures to sign up for information and to submit comments online.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has scheduled maintenance work to the Lake Keystone water conservation structure. The District will build a temporary dam around the structure to dewater or “dry out” the work area.
The work will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and is scheduled to begin Feb. 18 and should be completed by March 8. During that time, drivers may experience occasional short-term traffic congestion as equipment is moved in and out of the area. Drivers are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and use caution as the work area will be very close to oncoming traffic.
The Lake Keystone structure is located on Tarpon Springs Road between Keystone Manor Road and Wayne Road at the northern tip of Lake Keystone. The District will actively monitor water levels in Lake Keystone and Lake Island Ford during the construction.
For additional questions, please call the District at (352) 796-7211.
After working as an intern in the Operations and Land Management Bureau for two and a half years, student intern Tyler Williams is preparing to embark on an opportunity of a lifetime.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hampton Tract in Polk County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Feb. 12-14.
Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for this hunt have been sold.
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve’s Hampton Tract is located at 18490 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland.
This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
Feral hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.
Feral hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
For more information, please call the District’s Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4466.
WHO: Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) land management staff.
WHAT: District land management staff will set prescribed fires in a controlled setting, which can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017.
WHERE: Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve located at 14302 Morris Bridge Road, in Thonotosassa (Media should meet at the main entrance to be escorted back to the fire line.)
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m. (Weather permitting– we will confirm with media before the event.)
WHY: The Florida Cabinet has designated the fourth Sunday in January as the start of Prescribed Fire Awareness Week to educate the public on the role fire plays in Florida’s natural systems.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:
The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 35,000 acres each year.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be holding a feral hog management hunt on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County Jan. 29-31. The property will be closed to the public from dusk until dawn during the hunts. Normal daytime operations in the park will not be affected.
Only permitted hunters will be allowed nighttime access on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold.
Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located at 14302 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa.
This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
Feral hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.
Feral hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
For more information, please call the District’s Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4466.
