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.

When: The District has experienced an above-average year of rainfall. Hurricane Milton brought heavy rains at the end of the summer rainy season when the ground was already saturated and water levels were already high, preventing further absorption of water.

How much: Hurricane Milton brought tremendous amounts of rain. For example, some areas of the Green Swamp received close to 16 inches of rain. 

Where: Rivers and lakes are a part of a larger watershed. Rainwater that collects and runs off the surface of the land can take time to travel through the watershed into those rivers and lakes. This delayed runoff can lead to flooding well after a storm has passed. For larger watersheds, it may take weeks.  

For the latest updates on flooding in the District, visit WaterMatters.org/EOC or our social media channels (Facebook and X).

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. Some areas of the Green Swamp received close to 16 inches of rain overnight Wednesday. The flooding is expected to reach higher levels than what was seen in Hurricane Irma (2017) and the 2004 hurricanes. Click here to see updates on how specific areas will be impacted and how the area’s lakes and structures are being managed. https://content.govdelivery.com/.../FLS.../bulletins/3bbaa84

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. Please disregard misinformation being circulated on social media and share this post with your community so we can ensure accurate information is being shared. Media reports about the release of water are regarding other systems in Hillsborough County not related to Lake Jovita.

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

• Lake water levels in most areas are starting to decline and most structures are discharging at maximum capacity. 
• Upper portions of the Hillsborough River have crested and are beginning to decline while the lower portions are continuing to rise. 
• Cypress Creek, which is a major tributary of the Hillsborough River, is at major flood stage and is still rising. 
• Water levels throughout the Alafia River have crested and are beginning to decline.

Here’s an update on several of the major systems the District is operating:

Tampa Bypass Canal System

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is continuing to store all of the high river flows from the upper portions of the Hillsborough River and are successfully detaining and moving the water. The District does not have a way to detain and move flood water from Cypress Creek.

The District is currently moving more than 4 million gallons of water per minute through the Tampa Bypass Canal S-160 structure into McKay Bay to protect the cities of Tampa and Temple Terrace from river flooding.

The District activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area from Hurricane Milton. This action closed the Hillsborough River to boaters and redirected water to the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area resulting in some localized flooding on District-owned lands and Morris Bridge Road.

The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) or reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Floodwaters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with floodwaters from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which has five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.

For more information on the Tampa Bypass Canal System, visit WaterMatters.org/projects/tampa-bypass-canal-system

Medard Reservoir

The District has stopped emergency pumping at the Medard Reservoir. 

The water levels at Medard are now dropping quickly through normal operating procedures at about 1 inch every three hours, and the reservoir is down 1 foot from the peak.

The District began emergency pumping at the Medard Reservoir Thursday, Oct. 10 to protect the structural integrity if the reservoir. The Alafia River was at Major Flood Stage and the emergency release was less than 1% of the overall flow in the river.

The District is currently releasing 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the structure per its normal operating procedures to lower the reservoir an additional 4 feet to protect its 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.

In preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Milton, the District released water and the Medard Reservoir was below normal operating level. However, the Medard Reservoir received nearly 7 inches of rainfall in the watershed and the reservoir rose 6.5 feet as a result of Hurricane Milton. 

The District is currently releasing 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the structure per its normal operating procedures and needs to pump an additional 60 cfs to lower the reservoir by 5 feet to protect its structural integrity. The additional 60 cfs released is less than 1% of the overall flow in the Alafia River. The Alafia River is currently flowing at 11,300 cfs and the Alafia River at Lithia Pinecrest Road is at Major Flood Stage and is expected to crest tonight. 

While the District recognizes that homes along the Alafia River may already be experiencing flooding issues, not pumping the additional water from the reservoir and risking a failure, would further endanger residents and property downstream.

Edward Medard Park is a popular recreation area located just east of Turkey Creek Road and south of State Road 60. After mining phosphate in the 1960s, the American Cyanamid Company donated the majority of this property to the District in 1969. The mine site was excavated across a 2-mile length of the Little Alafia River. In 1970, a dike and a control structure were built to create the 700-acre reservoir, which offers some flood protection along the Alafia River. In 1972, under agreement with the District, Hillsborough County developed this site as one of its largest regional parks. Originally known as the Pleasant Grove Reservoir Park, the property was renamed the Edward Medard Park and Reservoir in 1977 to honor a District Governing Board member. The park is managed by Hillsborough County, while the reservoir dam is operated by the District.

For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.

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-owned lands and Morris Bridge Road.

Morris Bridge Road near the Hillsborough River Bridge, Trout Creek Park and Flatwoods Park are closed due to flooding resulting from the use of the HFDA. 

The District activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area. This action closed the Hillsborough River to boaters and redirected water to the HFDA. The river is continuing to experience an elevated amount of flow as a result of Hurricane Milton and is expected to remain at flood stage for the remainder of the week.

The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) or reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Floodwaters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with floodwaters from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which has five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.

In addition to providing flood control, the Tampa Bypass Canal also serves as a water supply source to help meet the drinking water needs of the Tampa Bay area. 

District staff will be closely monitoring the HFDA. Nearby residents should report any concerns to the District’s Flood Hotline at (813) 666-1335.

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.

In preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Milton, the District was releasing water and the Medard Reservoir was below normal operating level. However, the Medard Reservoir received nearly 7 inches of rainfall and the reservoir rose 6.5 feet as a result of Hurricane Milton. 

The District is currently releasing 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the structure per its normal operating procedures and needs to pump an additional 80 cfs to lower the reservoir by 5 feet to protect its structural integrity. The Alafia River is currently flowing at 5,000 cfs and the Alafia River at Lithia Pinecrest Road is at Major Flood Stage and is expected to crest tomorrow.

While the District recognizes that homes along the Alafia River may already be experiencing flooding issues, not pumping the additional water from the reservoir and risking a failure, would further endanger residents and property downstream.

Edward Medard Park is a popular recreation area located just east of Turkey Creek Road and south of State Road 60. After mining phosphate in the 1960s, the American Cyanamid Company donated the majority of this property to the District in 1969. The mine site was excavated across a 2-mile length of the Little Alafia River. In 1970, a dike and a control structure were built to create the 700-acre reservoir, which offers some flood protection along the Alafia River. In 1972, under agreement with the District, Hillsborough County developed this site as one of its largest regional parks. Originally known as the Pleasant Grove Reservoir Park, the property was renamed the Edward Medard Park and Reservoir in 1977 to honor a District Governing Board member. The park is managed by Hillsborough County, while the reservoir dam is operated by the District.

For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.

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.

The District is preemptively closing S-155 on the Hillsborough River before Hurricane Milton makes landfall to decrease freshwater discharge from the river into Tampa Bay during the forecasted historic storm surge and to minimize flood risks from the heavy rainfall predicted to occur during the storm. 

The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) has been activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with floodwaters. This action stops all or part of the flow of the Hillsborough River before it reaches the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa and that water will be stored in the HFDA. The stored water can then be safely moved down to McKay Bay using the Tampa Bypass Canal. The Hillsborough River will still receive a significant amount of water from downstream tributary Cypress Creek and local runoff. 

Earlier today, boat barriers were put in place around the S-155 water control structure, which is located where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River, restricting navigation in that area. The water control structure is located north of Morris Bridge Road and east of I-75. It can be seen from I-75 as you cross the Hillsborough River.

The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) or reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Floodwaters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with floodwaters from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which has five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.

In addition to providing flood control, the Tampa Bypass Canal also serves as a water supply source to help meet the drinking water needs of the Tampa Bay area. 

For more information on the Tampa Bypass Canal System, visit WaterMatters.org/projects/tampa-bypass-canal-system.

Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 Activation

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 1 as they continue to monitor Hurricane Milton. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities during an emergency weather event. 

The District is evaluating potential impacts from the storm that could occur throughout its 16-county region. District structure operations staff continue to monitor water levels and operate all of the agency’s water-control structures around the clock.

Level 1 activation is utilized when a specific weather situation has developed into an emergency. Level 1 is full activation, and the EOC will:

• Mobilize appropriate District emergency personnel to participate in emergency operations.
• Suspend normal departmental functions throughout the District that might interfere with emergency operations — all others continue.
• Monitor water levels and operate water control structures on water bodies throughout the District’s 16-county area as needed.
• Present daily (or as-needed) situation reports to the state EOC and maintain direct communications with the state and affected county EOCs.
• Ensure current event information is distributed to all District staff.

The EOC also directs District field crews, responds to requests from the state EOC, and provides water resource updates to state and local emergency management agencies, the media and the general public. The District EOC will expand to include additional emergency personnel as the situation demands.

For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.

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. 

The District anticipates reopening offices Friday, Oct. 11, but will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Milton to determine if future closings are necessary.

District structure operations staff will continue to monitor water levels and operate all of the agency’s water-control structures around the clock.

For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org. 

As a reminder, you can follow along for immediate updates on social media at X.com/SWFWMD.