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When visitors arrive at the Brooker Creek Preserve, their education begins the minute they leave their vehicles. A series of interpretive signage now lines the main trail between the parking lot and the environmental education center. Additional signs are located at key locations, including the butterfly garden and a mini wetland. The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center is located within the Brooker Creek watershed, which covers 39 square miles in…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to see freezing temperatures Thurssday morning.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to "advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover(Dover/Plant City Freeze Management Plan)":/agriculture/freeze-management who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps tonight.During a freeze or…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to see freezing temperatures Wednesday morning.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to "advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover(Dover/Plant City Freeze Management Plan)":/agriculture/freeze-management who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps tonight.During a freeze or…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to see freezing temperatures during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps each night.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area may see freezing temperatures during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps each night.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, to review and solicit public feedback on the recent surplus lands assessment review. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss two parcels of land that will be recommended to the Governing Board to be declared surplus. The parcels include a one-acre parcel along the District’s Tampa Bypass Canal and a 63-acre parcel along the District’s Lake Panasoffkee…

Overwatering in winter can encourage pests and disease The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact,…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $97,640.28 in grants to 43 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12. Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Manatee County. The District will provide virtual outreach now through Sept. 20 at WaterMatters.org/Floodplain for the public to view preliminary data for flood prone areas within the Pearce Drain/Gap Creek Watershed…

Today is the last day of Water Conservation Month, and April is traditionally one of the driest of the year and peak demand season for public water suppliers. The District works with our local government partners to share the importance of water conservation and to increase efforts to conserve water. Thanks to all our partners who joined the District in proclaiming April as Water Conservation Month. The following local governments and partners have declared…

We’re halfway through Water Conservation Month, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) encourages citizens to do their part to save water in and around their homes. While we shelter at home to stay safe, here’s more water saving tips to lower your monthly water bill and save hundreds of gallons of water:

• Ensure rain sensors are operating properly. Irrigating during or after significant rainfall is a major cause of outdoor…

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activationSouthwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine and raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2 at 8 a.m. this morning. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during and after an emergency weather event.Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has the potential to bring significant rainfall…

With the cooler temperatures this week, the District is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is hosting a public workshop Nov. 8 to provide information and get feedback on the Weeki Wachee Natural System Carrying Capacity Study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how recreational use affects the natural system along the Weeki Wachee River. During Thursday’s workshop, staff from the District, Hernando County and the consultant group will be available to explain the intent of the study and how the data will…

Restoration project areas. Recently, District Governing and Basin Board members and staff got an up-close look at restoration projects and toured major components that are part of the Lower Hillsborough River Recovery Strategy. Terra Ceia and Cockroach Bay One tour viewed restoration projects from infancy to maturity at the Terra Ceia and Cockroach Bay preserves. This tour was designed to give Board members and staff a better…

Land use specialists have completed the first phase of a major retooling of trail markings to make it easier for people to use trails on District properties. “We needed a standardized marking system for our trails,” said Carmen Sanders, District senior land use specialist. “Developing a standardized marking system will help us lay a solid foundation as we improve the trail systems on our properties. We want to improve the experience for visitors to our properties and…

District Extends Water Restrictions The Governing Board extended Phase I water shortage restrictions for the District’s entire 16-county area through Feb. 29, 2012, because of a disappointing summer rainy season and an approaching winter that is expected to be drier than normal. This means lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a two-day-per-week schedule, and residents may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Some local governments have stricter local…

Five counties within the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s region are now under a Modified Phase III water shortage order due to below-normal rainfall this winter. The District’s Governing Board voted last month to declare the Phase III order for northern counties in the District’s region, which are: Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, and Sumter as well as the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County. A Modified Phase I alert remains in effect for the…