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At its August 3 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alafia River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.240 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The budget for FY2007 is $8,377,561, which is an increase of $1,664,397 from the adopted FY2006 budget. The main reason for this budget increase is due to increased property values and additional balances available from the prior year. FY2007 will run from Oct.…

A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast. The Alafia River watershed is approximately 270,000 acres, or 418 square miles. Although a portion of the watershed lies in Polk County, most of it lies in Hillsborough County. In fact, it’s the largest watershed in Hillsborough County.  .embed-container {position: relative; padding-bottom: 70%; height: 0; width: 150%;margin-left:-…

The Hydrologic Conditions Report provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic analysis. The Hydrologic Conditions Report is generated monthly and provides an analytical summary of regional and temporal variations in the hydrologic conditions for planning and regulatory purposes. In addition, it provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic analysis. Data collected are used by the regulatory,…

Basin Board Members Tour River  District staff and Governing Board and Basin Board members tour the Withlacoochee River. Members of the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board recently toured the lower Withlacoochee River from Inglis to the mouth of the river. The lower Withlacoochee River has undergone significant alteration with the construction of the Inglis Dam and the Western Terminus of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. The basin board provided…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during October and November on three District sites in Pasco County. The sites are the Upper Hillsborough property, the Connerton property, and the Starkey property.The Upper Hillsborough property is approximately 3 miles east of Zephyrhills. Approximately 100 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.The Connerton property is approximately 7 miles…

At its June 14 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Manasota Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.160 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The proposed budget for FY2007 is $22,943,451, which is an increase of $2,707,918 from the approved FY2006 budget. The main reason for this increase is additional revenue anticipated from the state Water Protection and Sustainability program for alternative water…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Kurt Vargo and Lorna Ransom from DeSoto County’s Parks and Recreation Department for their work on Water Education Day, an outstanding water resources education project. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.“Water Education Day” targeted DeSoto County residents and their personal connection to the watershed. Participants…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) deactivated the "Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area ":https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/pdf/2005_Lower_Hillsborough_FDA_LU-Mgmt_Plan.pdf (LHFDA) today, reopening Structure S-155 and allowing boat traffic to resume along that portion of the Hillsborough River. High water levels caused by recent heavy rains have receded, allowing the Hillsborough River to return to its…

A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast. Watersheds are defined by the way water flows across the land and are shaped by features and elevations on the surface of the land.The Withlacoochee River watershed covers approximately 2,100 square miles within eight counties — Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Polk and Sumter.…

Nine new Governing and Basin Board members from throughout the District recently attended an information session aimed at giving them a more in-depth view of the responsibilities of the District’s different departments. Board members were given presentations from the Communications Department, Land Resources Department and Mapping and GIS Section. Patsy Symons, who is also a Governing Board member, and Kathleen “Kathy” Hoy Edgemon serve on the Peace River Basin Board…

In recent years the number of people living in the Alafia River watershed has increased dramatically. An increase in population causes a greater demand on water resources and a reduction in the amount of wildlife habitat. Efforts have been made to meet the increased demands for water and to restore and protect natural ecosystems within the watershed. Reservoir The C.W. “Bill” Young Regional Reservoir is located in the Alafia River watershed. It can store 15 billion…

 This project improved water quality in the Weeki Wachee River.Project OverviewThe Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hernando County made enhancements to stormwater management at Rogers Park. The park is owned by the County and located on the Weeki Wachee River. These improvements benefit the river by reducing the amount of sediments and nutrients entering the river. Project DetailsThis project uses Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Alton Cheatham of the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center for his outstanding water resources education project. A total of 29 projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.Cheatham was recognized for the Charlotte Harbor/Lemon Bay Surface Water Improvement and Management Watershed Education Program. This project educated…

City of Lakeland Water Utilities customers are still eligible to participate in a toilet rebate program aimed at conserving water.The toilet rebate program, which is cooperatively funded by the city and the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Alafia River, Peace River and Hillsborough River Basin Boards, offers rebates to replace high-volume toilets with water-efficient, low-flow toilets or high-efficiency toilets. Low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush or less…

There is no shortage of recreational opportunities in the Alafia River watershed. Get outside to explore the variety of activities at one of the watershed's many parks and preserves.    …

The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is cherished for its exquisite scenic beauty and is an ideal place to experience natural Florida. Be sure to check out the District’s Recreation website to learn more and plan your visit to the Green Swamp.   Footpaths and trails abound in the Preserve for extensive hiking and the Florida National Scenic Trail bisects the area. Trails for…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized the Hardee Jr. High Water Study as an outstanding water resources education program.This project taught students about the importance of the Peace River. The project focused on water quality and factors that affect it. The primary water quality studies were turbidity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and nitrate levels and pH. Geographical and geologic topics were also discussed.The project was one of 52 projects…

At its June 8 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alafia River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.240 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The proposed budget for FY2007 is $7,141,180, which is an increase of $428,016 from the adopted FY2006 budget. The main reason for this budget increase is due to increased property values. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.The Alafia…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during March and April on four District sites in Pasco County. The sites are the Upper Hillsborough property, the Conner Preserve, the Starkey property and the Cypress Creek property.The Upper Hillsborough property is approximately 3 miles east of Zephyrhills. Approximately 300 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.The Conner Preserve is…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during January and February on four District sites in Pasco County. The sites are the Upper Hillsborough property, the Conner Preserve, the Starkey property and the Cypress Creek property.The Upper Hillsborough property is approximately 3 miles east of Zephyrhills. Approximately 300 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.The Conner Preserve is…