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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Dunnellon City Hall, located at 20750 River Drive in Dunnellon. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum flow for the Rainbow River System in Marion County. The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A minimum flow or…

Your Questions Answered November 2022 Q: What is the SWIM Program? A: The Surface Water Improvement and Management or SWIM Program evaluates priority water bodies, identifies issues and drivers, and implements projects to improve water quality and habitat. In 1987, the Florida Legislature established the SWIM Act to protect, maintain, and restore Florida's surface water bodies. The Act required the five water…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, August 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, located at 11211 Countryway Blvd in Tampa. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lakes Horse, Juanita, Little Moon and Rainbow in Hillsborough County.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (…

April 2025Q: What is a spring?A: A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many…

There are more than 200 documented springs throughout the District. However, most individual springs cluster around 16 groups of springs, five of which are classified as first-magnitude groups based on the amount of water they discharge. While recognizing the need to manage all springs, the District places a priority on the five first-magnitude spring groups: Rainbow, Crystal River/Kings Bay, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weeki Wachee. These spring groups, located in…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) has partnered with the "Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition":http://floridawildlifecorridor.org/, as members of the exploration team travel through the District by walking, paddling or biking their way more than 700 miles from the Everglades Headwaters in Central Florida, across the Panhandle to the Alabama border. The expedition began Jan. 10 at Creek Ranch outside of Orlando. The…

 Highlights

• The lower half of the river is part of the more than 31,000-acre Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
• Designated an Outstanding Florida Water
• Located in Citrus County
• 190-square-mile springshed

ChallengesThe main challenges in the Chassahowitzka springshed are: 

• Ecological shifts in the river caused by sea level rise, coupled with the decline of spring discharge primarily due to a long-term decrease in…

 Highlights

• Largest natural lake in Hillsborough County with a surface area of greater than 800 acres
• Popular for recreational use as it is one of the few natural lakes in the area with public access
• Discharges into the Hillsborough River which is used for municipal water supply for the City of Tampa

ChallengesFour main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed:

• Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme…

March 2024Q:  What is a spring?A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many…

  Highlights

• Designated an “Estuary of National Significance” in 1990
• Florida’s largest open-water estuary at 373 square miles
• Over 2.7 million residents in the watershed
• Includes portions of Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties
• 2,200-square-mile watershed

GoalsWater Quality Goals

• Update nutrient reduction goals for each bay segment using a revised seagrass-nutrient management paradigm…

April 2023 Q:  What is a spring? A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as…

 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

ChallengesThe river has numerous canals and seawalls that have had a negative impact on water quality and habitat.StrategiesThrough cooperation with other government…

 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

ChallengesFour main challenges exist in the Weeki Wachee River and springshed: 

• Potential decrease in historic flows
• Elevated…

 Highlights

• System of 19 interconnected lakes, made up of two major groups; five in the northern chain and 14 in the southern chain
• Lakes were interconnected through the construction of canals to promote commerce
• Located in Polk County
• 32-square-mile watershed

ChallengesTwo main challenges exist in the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes watershed:

• Nutrient loading from urban runoff
• Destruction of natural systems…

 Highlights

• Lake Tarpon is the largest freshwater lake in the Tampa Bay area
• 2,534 acres of surface area
• Designated an Outstanding Florida Water and a Fish Management Area
• Located in Pinellas County
• 52-square-mile watershed

ChallengesThree main challenges exist in the Lake Tarpon watershed:

• Decline in water quality due to highly urbanized watershed inputs
• Imbalanced fish communities
• Increased…

 Highlights

• Lake Panasoffkee is the third largest lake (4,820 acres) in west central Florida
• Designated an Outstanding Florida Water
• Located in Sumter County

ChallengesThe main challenges facing Lake Panosoffkee stem from substantial groundwater input from the Floridan aquifer. This input has created:

• Loss of lake area due to sedimentation
• Loss of desirable habitat for fisheries
• Increased shoreline vegetation and…

Your Questions Answered  April 2022 Q:  What is a spring? A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an…

Sarasota Bay SWIM Plan Update The Surface Water Improvement and Management, or SWIM, program evaluates priority water bodies, identifies challenges and implements projects to improve water quality and natural systems. The District is currently updating the SWIM plan for Sarasota Bay and the draft plan is below: Public WorkshopThe District held an in-person workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Bay Preserve Carriage House. District…