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Following the Seminole Wars, the Peace River Valley remained a sparsely settled wilderness, dotted with small farms, citrus groves and cattle ranches. Agriculture was forever changed with the discovery that phosphorus promotes plant growth. Phosphorus is a nonrenewable resource. Phosphate minerals formed millions of years ago when Florida was underwater. It is believed it formed when skeletal remains of animals, organic matter and dissolved phosphorus in seawater…
Lemon Bay extends about 13 miles long and is separated from the Gulf of America by Little Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key. It is designated by the State of Florida as an aquatic preserve and an Outstanding Florida Waterway among other recognitions. The Lemon Bay area is bustling with live creatures, such as eagles, pinfish, pelicans,…
The districts administer flood protection programs and perform technical investigations into water resources. They also develop water management plans for water shortages in times of drought, and acquire and manage lands for water management purposes. Delegated regulatory programs include management of the consumptive use of water, aquifer recharge, well construction and surface water management.
Attention: A portion of this property will be closed for construction of the Ridge Road Extension. Pasco County signs will notate closure within the property. The District will update the property map once construction is complete. See Starkey Wilderness Preserve for overall information.
Highlights
- Homosassa Springs is the headwaters of the Homosassa River and is known as the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
- The park serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for orphaned or injured manatees.
- Located in Citrus County
- 270-square-mile springshed
Four rivers impressively emerge from the Green Swamp. They are the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha and Peace rivers. These rivers provide much of central Florida’s water supply. Check out these stats and visit our other virtual watershed excursions to learn more about these rivers.Hillsborough River
- Total length: 55 miles
- …
July 2025Q: What is a prescribed burn?A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals and objectives. The burns follow a written prescription, which outlines the defined fire treatment area, specific weather parameters that are required to meet the objectives, the tactics staff will use, and the staffing and equipment resources that are required to…
Ronnie Duncan, a member of the Governing Board and the District’s Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board, attended “Perk Up a Park.”
The event was held at Lake Seminole Park in Seminole and focused on cleaning up the park, removing invasive plants and unveiling interpretive signage. The signage explains watershed management, which includes what a stormwater pond does and illustrates the native plants and wildlife that can be found in and around the pond. The signage also…
Florida law requires establishment of minimum flows and levels of water bodies to prevent significant harm associated with water withdrawals.Program overviewFlorida law (Chapter 373.042, Florida Statutes) requires the state water management…
For the second year in a row, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pinellas County Parks & Recreation Department will join forces to “Perk Up a Park.”The “Perk Up a Park” cleanup and interpretive sign unveiling will happen Saturday, June 25 at Philippe Park, located in Safety Harbor on Philippe Parkway between Main Street and State Road 580.This event is open to anyone who would like to volunteer. The volunteers will be asked to…
The 7.5 mile-long Weeki Wachee River is another spring-fed river on the Springs Coast. Its headwater is Weeki Wachee Springs, one of Florida’s legendary roadside attractions where tourists, including Elvis Presley, have been coming to see the famous live mermaids in the underwater theater since the 1940s. The headsprings and surrounding land are now owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and managed by the Florida Park Service as Weeki Wachee Springs State…
The Weeki Wachee Springs Restoration Project improved water quality and enhanced the overall natural system.
Project Overview
The Southwest Florida Water Management District restored portions of Weeki Wachee Springs in 2009 to improve water quality in the headspring and the upper river, as well as enhance the overall natural system.
Background
The Weeki Wachee Restoration Project was the second project aimed at cleaning up the springs.
The first project…
Water Quality DataWater quality data are categorized under two major resource types — groundwater and surface water.Groundwater Quality Data provide information on existing groundwater quality conditions and water quality trends within the District’s groundwater resources, including springs. They also improve the District’s understanding of groundwater quality concerns, support development of watershed management priorities and plans, and…
Southwest Florida Water Management District
- Springs in West-Central Florida
- Recreation on District Land
- Lower Floridan Aquifer Exploration
- Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs)
- …
January 2024Q: What is a prescribed burn?A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals and objectives. The burns follow a written prescription, which outlines the defined fire treatment area, specific weather conditions that are required, the tactics staff will use, and the staffing and equipment resources that are required to safely conduct the…
Your Questions Answered
January 2022
Q: What is a prescribed burn?
A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire or a controlled burn, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals. The burns follow a written prescription which outlines: the defined fire treatment area, goals and objectives of the burn, specific weather conditions that are required, the tactics staff will use,…
Your Questions Answered
August 2019
Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. Chris Reed, Land Management Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explains why the District’s prescribed burn efforts are critical to keeping Florida’s ecosystem in balance.
Q: What is a…
Highlights
- Weeki Wachee Springs are the headwaters of the Weeki Wachee River
- The headspring is home to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which features a water park and the famous underwater mermaid show
- Located in Hernando County
- First magnitude spring: 260-square-mile springshed
- Potential decrease in historic flows
- Elevated…
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed James “Jim” Turner and reappointed Paul “Jack” Bispham, John Hall, and Nancy Watkins to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Turner represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties, Bispham represents Manatee County, Hall represents Polk County and Watkins represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.Turner, of Sarasota, is Senior Counsel at Williams Parker Law Firm. Turner earned his bachelor’s degree in management…