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August 2023Q: What is FARMS?A: The Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems, or FARMS program for short, is designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water quantity, water quality and natural systems BMPs to conserve groundwater use and promote resource sustainability. The program is an agricultural cost-share reimbursement program that reduces groundwater withdrawals from the Upper Floridan…

January 2023 Q: What is vegetation management? A: Vegetation management is the targeted control of nuisance and invasive exotic vegetation. These operations are conducted on both District-owned lands and on District-managed public waterbodies. This includes the control of both aquatic vegetation, growing in or near water, and terrestrial vegetation, growing on land. Q: Why is vegetation management important…

Your Questions AnsweredNovember 2021Florida has the largest concentration of springs in the world, with more than 200 springs within the boundaries of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These natural wonders rely on rainfall to replenish their water source, and Dr. Madison Trowbridge explains how the rainy season provides big benefits for Florida’s springs.Q: What is spring flow?A: Spring flow is the amount of water that…

December 2023Q: Why is conserving water outdoors important?A:  Typically, outdoor water use accounts for about 50 percent of water consumed by households, so it’s important to pay attention to your outdoor water use. If using a permanent inground irrigation system, conduct regular maintenance to ensure the system is working properly and make seasonal adjustments throughout the year. If using a non-permanent above-ground…

Florida law requires establishment of minimum flows and levels of water bodies to prevent significant harm associated with water withdrawals.Program overviewFlorida law (Chapter 373.042, Florida Statutes) requires the state water management…

Your Questions Answered December 2019 Florida’s climate makes it ideal for growing a wide variety of crops, which makes the state’s agricultural industry one of the strongest in the country. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) believes working with the agricultural community to conserve water through our Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems or FARMS program is essential to help ensure future water supplies.…

Every year about 2.5 million people visit public conservation lands obtained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources.Balancing water needs.Protecting the environment. The District was created in 1961 by the Florida Legislature to protect the water resources of the region. The District includes roughly 10,000 square miles in all or part of 16 counties in west-central Florida that were home to a population…

Your Questions Answered December 2021 Q: Why does the District issue permits? A: Water is a public resource that belongs to all of us. However, fresh water is not limitless. Excessive water withdrawals can harm the resources. Other human activities also pose threats. Without the proper safeguards for wetlands, floodplain encroachment and stormwater runoff can cause pollution and flooding. District permitting…

May 2025Q: What is a water control structure?A: The primary purpose of the District’s water control structures is to manage the flow of water. Water control structures vary greatly in size and are used for multiple purposes. The District’s water control structures can be classified into three main categories: flood control, salinity barriers, and water conservation structures. These structures allow the District to provide…

 The area is an ideal place where visitors, from school groups to master birders, can visit and explore some of central Florida’s flora and fauna found in a natural state that has had little modification by man. The area contains a variety of different habitat types with a wide diversity of plant life. These types include, but are not limited to, sandhills, flatwoods, oak hammocks, river swamp and cypress ponds. The characteristic cypress ponds that dot the landscape…

Your Questions Answered  February 2021 Nearly one thousand people move to Florida every day. That population growth puts significant demand on the region’s water supply. To help meet these water supply needs, local governments, water managers, builders and developers are working cooperatively through the Florida Water Star℠ (FWS) program. Southwest Florida Water Management District Lead Communications Coordinator Robin Grantham has details about…

Your Questions AnsweredAugust 2020Many residents have questions about the process of constructing wells on their property. Southwest Florida Water Management District Well Construction manager David Arnold has the answers to some frequently asked questions.Q: Why do I need a permit to construct a water well?A: A well construction permit is required before installation of a water well within the Southwest Florida Water Management…

Your Questions Answered December 2022Q: Why do I need a permit to construct a water well?A: A well construction permit is required before installation of a water well within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors to meet rigid safety and durability standards and protect the groundwater resource.Q: Does it matter what part of the District…

July 2025Q: What is a prescribed burn?A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals and objectives. The burns follow a written prescription, which outlines the defined fire treatment area, specific weather parameters that are required to meet the objectives, the tactics staff will use, and the staffing and equipment resources that are required to…

Each year, the District conducts annual surveys of public and private potable water suppliers. These surveys are an important source of data and information that are used to support the District’s water resource programs and initiatives, including water supply planning, water use permitting and water conservation.2025 Public Supply Annual Reports (PSARs)Getting Started: Data Validation

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Your Questions Answered  May 2021 Florida’s population is growing with an average of 1,000 people moving to the state every day. If you’re new to Florida, you may not be familiar with the state’s water resources or how to do your part when it comes to water conservation. Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Lead Communications Coordinator Robin Grantham shares water-related tips for life in the Sunshine State. Q: How…

Does the District forecast river flooding?The District does not forecast river flooding. We refer to the Southeast River Forecast Center, an agency of the National Weather Service. The public can use their interactive map to view forecast locations experiencing flooding and links to detailed forecast information. The National Weather Service also establishes flood stage categories and thresholds. While local news sources…

Sixteen Pasco County teachers are among the record number of educators who applied for and received Splash! mini-grants through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.This year the District awarded Splash! mini-grants to 209 educators totaling more than $413,000. That’s 72 more grant recipients than last year.Mary Margaret Hull, lead communication coordinator, attributes the increase in awardees to an increase in promotion among the District’s school…

What springs are located within our District? There are more than 200 springs within the District. There are five first-magnitude spring groups in the District. First-magnitude springs, which are the largest springs by volume of water discharged, release 64.6 million gallons per day or more. The five springs are: Rainbow River, Crystal River/Kings Bay, Homosassa River, Chassahowitzka River and Weeki Wachee River. Together, they discharge more than one…