Search Content

As the District’s Inspector General, Brian Werthmiller provides independent, objective analyses and appraisals of programs to help the District’s Governing Board, Executive leadership, and operating management teams assess business risks, evaluate and improve District performance, and prevent and detect fraud and abuse.Werthmiller began his career working at KPMG, one of the Big 4 accounting firms, providing financial audits to a wide range of clients in the public and…

Modified Phase II Water Shortage RestrictionsAlways refer to your city or county regulations first.Effective Date and Areas

• The District’s Modified Phase II one-day-per-week water shortage restrictions are in effect Feb. 8, 2026,…

The Office of Agricultural Water Policy is a nonregulatory division of the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS).Staff located at service offices of the Southwest Florida Water Management District work with the local agriculture community to promote best management practices (BMPs). They also work closely with the water management districts, USDA-NRCS, soil and water conservation districts, and UF-IFAS to aid in implementation of BMPs to improve…

Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage Restrictions Begin April 3Always refer to your city or county regulations first.Effective Date and Areas

• The District’s Modified Phase III one-day-per-week water shortage…

The districts administer flood protection programs and perform technical investigations into water resources. They also develop water management plans for water shortages in times of drought, and acquire and manage lands for water management purposes. Delegated regulatory programs include management of the consumptive use of water, aquifer recharge, well construction and surface water management.  

Pursuant to Section 112.3261, Florida Statutes, starting July 1, 2014, a person may not lobby a water management district until such person has registered with that district. A person wanting to lobby the Southwest Florida Water Management District is urged to read the full…

Latest Information

 OverviewMinimum flows are limits established by the District’s Governing Board for surface watercourses to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology that may result from water withdrawals. Florida Statutes require the development of a recovery strategy when existing flows fall below the applicable minimum flow. The District has established minimum flows for the Lower Hillsborough River to help protect the river’s ecological health…

Homosassa Springs has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s and is now located within a state park that features a fishbowl observatory and manatee rehabilitation. About the SpringsThe Homosassa River is a first-magnitude spring system originating in western Citrus County. Homosassa Springs is at the headwaters of this short, slow moving tidal river, which flows 8 miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of America.Many springs make up the…

  A group of lawyers, prosecutors and judges from Brazil recently stopped by the District to learn about environmental law. The group of legal experts visited several agencies throughout the state to learn about different aspects of law as part of a summer program. The visit was coordinated through the University of Florida’s College of Law. District staff discussed Florida water law, the creation and development of water management districts, the importance…

Above: New observation tower at the preserve. Below: The view from the tower. Outdoor enthusiasts have a new preserve to visit in Levy County. The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is 413 acres of publicly owned land managed by Yankeetown. Preserve visitors can enjoy a boardwalk, hiking trails and an education building. There is also an area to launch kayaks located on a half-mile portage trail. Boaters should be…