Minimum Flows for the Upper Peace River

Map of the Upper Peace River.

Overview 

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. 

Final Draft Minimum Flows Report

A final draft minimum flows report for the Upper Peace River was developed by District staff through extensive research that included collecting a comprehensive set of data consisting of historical water levels and flow rates, instream habitats, water quality, and information on wildlife diversity and abundances. 

 

 

A final draft report will be presented to the Governing Board for approval to establish the proposed minimum flows.  

Independent Scientific Peer Review Process 

The draft minimum flows report for the Upper Peace River, along with the scientific or technical data, methodologies, models, and assumptions used to support the development of proposed minimum flows, is voluntarily subjected to independent scientific peer review. The peer review was conducted by recognized experts in fields relevant to the development of minimum flows. 

All peer review panel meetings are listed on the District’s calendar. The meetings are virtual and include opportunities for public comment. The peer review panel provided comments and recommendations to the District, which may require revisions or additional technical analysis to be addressed in the report. Peer review materials and comments are posted on the District’s web forum.

Public Meeting

Following the conclusion of the peer review panel, a public meeting will be held to share the final draft minimum flows report. At the meeting, District staff will present the proposed minimum flows and the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and share comments for consideration before the report is finalized and shared with the Governing Board for approval to initiate rulemaking to adopt the proposed minimum flows into District rules.

Tentative Schedule