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 Purchased jointly by the District and Polk County to preserve the natural wetlands (90 percent) and uplands along the upper corridor of the Alafia River, this property is home to many species of wading birds and amphibians that require seasonally flooded areas free of predators to complete their life cycles. Forested hardwood wetlands are the primary natural community. Common trees include sweet gum, laurel oak, ironwood, hickory, sabal palms and bay. Ground cover is…

Daily Rainfall UpdateThe rainfall data below provide a summary of daily and month-to-date rainfall totals at 125 locations in the District. The Rainfall Data Collection Sites map shows the locations of the measurement stations and the Daily Rainfall Data chart shows rainfall accumulations in inches. (Click any image to view full size.) …

Twelve Pinellas County projects were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 49 grants Districtwide for a total of $171,444. This is the 10th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to…

Watch videos on a variety of District topics from the latest projects to water conservation initiatives. Explore District lands through virtual visits and discover how you can protect various spring systems. Plus, learn about the District’s mission, history and career opportunities.

Citrus and Marion county residents will be treated to clean water events from Ocala to Crystal River during the upcoming Springs Awareness Week. The following events taking place during Springs Awareness Week are aimed at raising awareness about the health of the local springs and what people can do to protect them: h3. March 13–14, Ocala table(webalert). |What:|16th Annual Marion County Master Gardeners' Spring Festival. More than 140 plant-related vendors come together to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District urges year-round water conservation. Water levels may rise and fall, but our water resources remain limited. The District encourages efficient, non-wasteful uses of water to sustain our high quality of life. For more information about ways to conserve water, contact the District at 1-800-423-1476 or visit the District's website.

WUPs require submittal of an application form that is dependent upon the annual average quantities requested and one or more supplemental forms. Choose the appropriate application form and include the appropriate supplemental form(s).Application FormsTo renew or modify or apply for a new water use permit  (Form LEG-R.100.00; Rule 40D-2.101(1) – May 19, 2014) (Form LEG-R.035.02; Rule 40D-2.331(2)(b) – May 19, 2014)To transfer a water use permit (Form LEG-R…

District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the wild hog population and permits for Phase 2 go on sale Monday. Wild hogs, which are not native to Florida, feed on roots, tubors and grubs by rooting with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans.…

 Overview The Southwest Florida Water Management District is currently developing new minimum flow standards for the Upper Peace River. Minimum flows are limits established by the District’s Governing Board for surface water courses and are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by water withdrawals.  The Upper Peace River, which is the northernmost section of…

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.    …

Visitors can get a free look at the restoration of the Three Sisters Springs property this Saturday at an open house. The Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Inc. has partnered with the District, Crystal River Wildlife Refuge, the City of Crystal River and other organizations to offer several “free admission” days throughout manatee season in appreciation of the residents and businesses who support the Three Sisters property.  The area had…

Enjoy the beauty of west-central Florida at its best by hiking on miles of natural trails. Take a Hike District lands are open for hiking and related activities that can be enjoyed on foot, such as nature study, bird watching, outdoor photography, jogging and backpacking. Most trails are located on old roadbeds and have a natural surface that changes constantly depending on weather and soil conditions…

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…

What is a Conservation Easement?  A conservation easement is a legal agreement that permanently restricts the use of a portion or the entirety of a property, often as a condition of an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP). Conservation easements are recorded in the public records of the county in which the property is located. In many residential developments, conservation easements are placed over natural areas as a part of the permitting process for stormwater…

Fresh water from the Peace River watershed is essential to the health of the Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in Florida. The watersheds of the Myakka and Caloosahatchee rivers also feed into the harbor. An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water where fresh water from rivers and streams flows into the ocean. The Charlotte Harbor estuary is 30 miles long by seven miles wide and boasts 219 miles of shoreline.…