RV Griffin Reserve

Public water supply facilities, agriculture, wildlife habitat conservation and passive recreation characterize the diversity of the working landscape at the RV Griffin Reserve. The reserve offers vistas of pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, wet prairies and glimpses of forested wetlands and oak hammocks. Much of the flatwoods have a sparse overstory of pines and resembles Florida dry prairie, one of North America's most imperiled ecosystems. The property is managed by the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (PRMRWSA).

The reserve was named in memory of DeSoto County Commissioner RV Griffin. The District purchased the property in 1992 to help meet future water supply needs of Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. The PRMRWSA operates water supply facilities that were originally built by the developer in anticipation of its planned communities.

During the dry season, the amount of water flowing down the Peace River declines and is unable to supply all the water needed by the public. During times of high flow, river water is diverted for storage. Raw river water is held in a reservoir located on PRMRWSA property within the reserve. Pipes connect the reservoir to a treatment plant on neighboring land. For additional storage, treated water is injected into underground wells of the aquifer storage and recovery system.