Search Content

Community members who want to help protect the water resources in their area may apply online for a Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The overall goal of the "Community Education Grant":http://www.WaterMatters.org/communitygrants/ program is to actively engage and educate adults about water conservation, protection and preservation. The program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in protecting their water resources…

During the dry season, the Southwest Florida Water Management District would like to remind homeowners that they can conserve water by maintaining current kitchen and bathroom fixtures or by upgrading to water conserving fixtures.A dripping faucet can waste up to 30 gallons of water per day. Dripping faucets can be repaired by replacing the washers or tightening the fixture. A variety of repair kits can be found in local home improvement and hardware stores. Most kits…

A Well Construction Permit is required prior to installation of a water well within the District. The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors and meet rigid safety and durability standards. The rules in Chapter 40D-3, F.A.C. govern the construction of water wells and water well contractor licensing, and implement the provisions of…

In addition to groundwater, Florida also has many different surface water bodies. Surface waters are those found above ground. In Florida, that includes around 7,700 lakes, 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 700 springs! Surface waters are home to many different types of plants and animals. They also provide a place for people who live in Florida, or come to visit, to enjoy many recreational activities, such as swimming, kayaking,…

Nestled just north of the Inverness city limits in Citrus County is 8,500 acres of pristine Florida wilderness with more than 30 miles of trails and four camping areas where you can hike, camp, bike, boat, fish — even bring your horses. Freshly restored to its historic natural flow patterns, Potts Preserve is bordered by the Hernando pool of the Tsala Apopka Lake system to the west and the Withlacoochee River to the east. Purchased by the District to protect the area’…

Whether you enjoy camping with modern amenities or you prefer to camp in the backcountry, the beauty of Florida’s wilderness is waiting to be experienced.Types of Camping on the DistrictPrimitive Camp AreasPrimitive campsites are provided for campers with tents. Only personal vehicles are allowed in the campsites. Primitive campsites are generally equipped with picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills and usually have portable toilets available for use by campers. Campsites…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 28 at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled…

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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District District) is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year. Following the directive in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Emergency Order to conduct all public meetings electronically to reduce the…

A group of kayakers armed with gloves and garbage bags launched their vessels from the Clam Bayou Nature Park. The volunteers, led by Kurt Zuelsdorf, were on a mission to collect trash from the mangrove-lined Clam Bayou. Zuelsdorf was able to bring together this eco-minded band of volunteers through a District Community Education Grant he applied for and received this spring. The $3,512 grant was used to pay for the volunteers’ kayak rentals, trash bags and equipment…

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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise the schedule each year.A public workshop will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the District's Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301.The workshop will provide…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year. A public workshop will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the District’s Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301. The…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input to determine the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) establishment for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District as well as the establishment of water reservations. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year.The District will hold a virtual public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Members of the public can…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise the schedule each year. A public workshop will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m…

Two Citrus County projects that are expected to reach approximately 730 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant…

Community members who want to make a positive impact on the water resources in their area may apply online for a Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The goal of the District’s Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the District’s Basin Boards, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved…

TheHighlands Soil and Water Conservation District will receive a $4,950 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to talk to homeowner associations about water conservation and rain sensors.During the presentations, homeowners will also be able to sign up for free rain sensors. The Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District and volunteers will then visit the sites where the rain sensors are installed to ensure that the devices were…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a series of public workshops to gather feedback about the preliminary results of 19 model scenarios for the Withlacoochee River Watershed Initiative. These scenarios were evaluated to better understand how past or future changes may affect the Withlacoochee River and its surrounding watershed.The public is invited to provide input at any of five scheduled regional public information workshops. These…

WhoThird- and fourth-grade Wildwood Elementary School students; Louise Ross, Director of Elementary Education for the Sumter County School Board; and Southwest Florida Water Management District Youth Education staffWhatDistrict Youth Education staff will visit a third- and fourth-grade class at Wildwood Elementary School to observe water education projects funded through its Splash! mini-grant program.Ms. Benachoice Caruthers third-grade students will demonstrate their…