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The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hillsborough County will celebrate the completion of the Fred & Idah Schultz Preserve with a dedication ceremony Wednesday, Nov 10th at 3 p.m.The preserve, which is located in southeastern Hillsborough County, is part of a 204-acre ecosystem restoration project known as the “Kitchen.” This area includes Port Redwing, Dug Creek and the Davis Tract. Restoration of the 60-acre Davis Tract was completed in 2002…

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials deactivated the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 2 p.m. today. In addition, the District deactivated the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area/Tampa Bypass Canal system and removed boat barriers where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River restoring navigation in that area. The District’s EOC provides unified command for activities before, during and after emergency events, like hurricanes…

Growing public demand in Pasco County has led to a water conservation program that will provide toilet rebates of up to $100 for each high-volume toilet replaced with a low-flow model.The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pasco County Utilities are working together to provide the toilet rebates.High-volume toilets can use three gallons or more per flush, while low-flow toilets use up to 1.6 gallons per flush.This is the first year of the two-year project. This…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management Districts Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board and the City of Clearwater will improve water quality, reduce erosion and increase flood protection along the Stevensons Creek Watershed.The watershed encompasses an area of approximately 10 square miles in western Pinellas that includes the cities of Dunedin and Clearwater.This multi-year project will allow the implementation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs)…

A multi-year aerial mapping project funded by the Southwest Florida Management District and Sumter County will help predict flooding and water quality problems by updating the county’s topographical maps.During the first phase of the project, the entire county will be flown over with light detection and ranging laser-based technology (LiDAR) to collect topographic information, which will be used to create detailed elevation maps that show the area’s physical…

“Get Outside!” at Potts Preserve Oct. 23 The District is hosting a family-friendly community event at Potts Preserve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2010. The event will offer guided nature hikes, a native animal presentation, an archery adventure for all ages, children’s activities, waterless fishing and scavenger hunts. River boat tours will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The District is inviting the community to “Get Outside…

Terese Power, a staff engineer with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, uses a watershed model to show Lacy Garman from Brooksville how pollution works its way into rivers and lakes. District employees combined the annual Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day to teach children about conservation, pollution prevention, and environmental stewardship. If you would like a high-resolution photograph for publication, contact…

Veteran and incoming Governing Board and Basin Board members recently took part in a planning workshop at the Tampa Service Office. More than half of the 56 board members attended the workshop that featured District projects and departments. The workshop featured in-depth lectures, panel discussions and thematic exhibits. It also allowed the Board members the opportunity to talk with Governing Board Chair Heidi McCree. Jennifer Closshey, Governing Board member and…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will temporarily close the Wysong-Coogler Dam airboat slide for maintenance and repairs beginning Tuesday, April 18 for approximately two weeks. The airboat slide is located on the Withlacoochee River in Citrus County. Temporary closure signs will be posted during the repairs.The District operates two additional airboat slides in that area, the Moccasin Slough slide and the Brogden Bridge slide. Both slides remain…

Pasco County students at six schools will study the issues surrounding our freshwater resources thanks to "Splash! school grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/schoolgrants/ from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The Pasco County awardees are:* Donna Hoaque Koljeski, *Energy and Marine Center*, was awarded $2,700. Students will learn what a watershed is and how humans contribute to pollution entering a watershed. Through literature and hands-on…

The District has been receiving questions about its ability to move water out of Lake Thonotosassa through the Flint Creek water control structure. The lake was lowered to the maximum amount possible before the storm. However, due to historic rainfall from Hurricane Milton, the Flint Creek water control structure on Lake Thonotosassa is completely under water and the water is flowing over the land around the structure. Under normal circumstances, water naturally…

Visitors to this year’s Florida State Fair will have the opportunity to learn about the drought and water conservation when they visit the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s information booth and water-conserving restroom trailer.The District will promote water conservation and Florida-friendly landscaping at the fair, which is being held Feb. 7-18 in Tampa.“Because the area is experiencing a severe drought, water conservation is even more…

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Hurricane Dorian and have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during, and after an emergency weather event. The District is continuing to monitor potential impacts from the storm that could occur throughout…

Governor Rick Scott reappointed "Michael Babb ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/profiles/michael_babb.php to the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/. Babb represents Hillsborough County. Babb, 36, of Tampa, is the president of Two Rivers Ranch. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 21, 2014, and ending March 1, 2018. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the…

Senator Paula Dockery will be in the City of Webster Thursday to present a $500,000 check to city officials for the city’s stormwater plan.The presentation will be held at 3 p.m. at Webster City Hall, east of S.R. 471.Members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing and Basin Boards will also attend the presentation.The state, city and the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board, are cooperatively funding this project.The City of Webster’s stormwater…

 Clockwise from top left: Chair Todd Pressman; Vice Chair Ronald E. Oakley; Secretary Hugh M. Gramling; Treasurer Sallie Parks. Two Governing Board members are moving into new leadership roles this year, while two others have been given their first opportunity to serve as officers. Todd Pressman was unanimously elected by his peers in May to serve as the District’s Governing Board chair. Pressman served as the Board secretary and vice chair before being…

In anticipation of the impacts of Hurricane Matthew, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is currently lowering several lake levels to provide for additional storage in the event the District's region receives heavy rains. In Polk County, levels are being lowered in Lakes Hancock, Arietta, Fannie, Smart and Lena. In Highlands County Lake June-in-Winter is being lowered.As a precautionary measure, the District has closed Cow House Creek, structure S-163, in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of St. Petersburg are working together on a project that will reduce flooding in the Childs Park neighborhood, located near 44th St. South.During heavy rain the neighborhood experiences street flooding because the existing drainage system is outdated and undersized.This project is part of a 1994 stormwater management master plan developed by the city and involves constructing a major “trunk” line from…

Information on how residents can conserve water during the drought will be a focal point at this year’s Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival being held Jan. 19-20 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.The Southwest Florida Water Management District will promote water conservation and Florida-friendly landscaping with its water-conserving restroom at the annual event.“Because the area is experiencing a severe drought, water conservation is even more crucial,” said Melissa…