Search Content

Various views of the Tampa Bypass/Harney Park site, as well as Marilyn Samaha accepting the District’s first Land Resources Volunteer of the Year Award from Fritz Musselmann, land resources director. The countless hours Marilyn Samaha spent developing a recreational partnership among the District, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bypass Canal Rowing Council (TBCRC), which she created and serves as president, recently earned her the District’s first Land…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two Marion and Levy county projects during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday.

• Gail Mowry with the Marion County Clean Water Program was recognized for her work with the Clean Farms Initiative. This initiative addresses the issue of water quality that comes with the management of manure from…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is extending a water shortage emergency authorization that allows Tampa Bay Water to withdraw additional water from the Alafia River because Tampa Bay Water cannot use the full storage capacity of the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir.The reservoir only has about 6.5 billion gallons in storage to facilitate inspection and investigation of the reservoir’s soil cement layer. When full, the reservoir stores approximately…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board heard today from District hydrologic data staff that the region’s water resources are recovering, but are still impacted from two years of drought.“We’re seeing improvements overall in hydrologic conditions but we are approaching the end of the rainy season in September,” said Granville Kinsman, District Hydrologic Data manager. “We still have much more room for the water resources…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved a renewal to a water use permit for the City of Auburndale.The renewal incorporates a modification to the existing water use permit to increase quantities and add two proposed production wells for public supply use. The new permit is for an annual average quantity of 7,036,300 gallons per day (gpd), which is an increase of 2,007,200 gpd or 40 percent.The city’s current adjusted per capita…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging residents to turn off their irrigation systems after it rains.During the winter months your lawn only needs water one-half to three-quarters of an inch every 10 to 14 days.Because the area is experiencing below-normal rainfall and groundwater conditions, the need to conserve is greater than ever. Outdoor water use can account for up to fifty percent of residential water use.“Many homeowners have a rain…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the District’s Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed reevaluation of minimum levels for 41 wetlands in the Northern Tampa Bay Water Use Caution Area. During the workshop, District staff will present the technical basis for the proposed…

Four volunteers and an equestrian group who work with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program were presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor that recognizes volunteer dedication and signifies that each volunteer has served the community and country with distinction.The volunteers received their awards Tuesday at the District’s January Governing Board meeting in Brooksville.Elizabeth…

Next weekend Hillsborough County adults will have the opportunity to see what their kids have been enjoying in their schools for years.Stages Productions will perform two free, public shows of “Water Pigs,” a live, interactive water resource and conservation theatre presentation. The first performance is Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at the Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, located at 619 Vonderberg Drive in Brandon. The second performance is Saturday,…

An agreement signed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Charlotte County will bring reclaimed water to several Charlotte County Schools and many other customers in Port Charlotte.The Charlotte County Regional Reclaimed Water Expansion project consists of constructing approximately 58,500 linear feet reclaimed water transmission line to transport reclaimed water from Charlotte County East Port Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), west through Port…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Peace River Basin Board and the City of Punta Gorda are among the stakeholders who signed a plan today that will improve water quality in the Shell Creek and Prairie Creek watersheds, Punta Gorda’s primary water supply source.By signing the Shell CreekPrairie Creek Watershed Management Plan, stakeholders of diverse interests are coming together to join forces and work to address water quality issues in a…

Ken Herd, water supply program director, Resource Projects Department A District employee with more than 20 years experience in regional water supply development will continue to make an impact in the field as a member of the National Research Council’s Water Science and Technology Board. Ken Herd, the District’s water supply program director, accepted a three-year appointment to the Water Science and Technology Board, which studies water…

Finance Intern Joe Powanda starts his day in Procurement by running reports to help the specialists as well as preparing documents for site visits. He also has a hand in proofing contracts and assists with special projects.  Currently completing his associate degree at Pasco-Hernando State College, Joe wanted to gain knowledge and experience in the finance field, so he started an internship that would teach him more about finance and provide the necessary skills to…

Polk County students at 11 schools will study the issues surrounding our freshwater resources thanks to "Splash! school grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/schoolgrants/ from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The Polk County awardees are:* Herbert Maysonet, *Auburndale High*, was awarded $2,930. Students will learn to collect and test water samples from local ponds. They will explore various pollutants and learn how water is treated to eliminate…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard last week voted to help fund $1.9 million in projects that will help reduce groundwater withdrawals in eastern Hillsborough County by 550,000 gallons per day and 18 million gallons for frost/freeze protection.All five projects are located on strawberry farms within the proposed Dover/Plant City Water Use Caution Area.…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, August 27 held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jimmy B. Keel Regional Library2902 W. Bearss Ave. Tampa, Fl. 33618. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on proposed minimum and guidance levels for Starvation Lake.The state Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies…

Fifteen Sarasota 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 communications coordinator, attributes the increase in awardees to an increase in promotion among the District’s…

Sunday marked the start of another hurricane season and the 10th anniversary of one the most destructive  and costly seasons in Florida. During the 2004 hurricane season, four storms – Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jean – crisscrossed the state bringing major destruction and devastation including many parts of the District. That hurricane season changed how the District responded to emergencies. Staff worked in numerous capacities in the recovery efforts from…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday adopted its proposed Fiscal Year 2009 (FY2009) millage rates for the General Fund and the eight Basin Boards.The Governing Board adopted a proposed FY2009 millage rate of 0.3866 mill for the District’s General Fund, which is the same as the current fiscal year. FY2009 will run from Oct. 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2009.The total proposed FY2009 budget for the District is $375.8 million, 4.9 percent…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) invites the public to comment on proposed minimum guidance levels for Lakes Rogers and Raleigh in Hillsborough County at a public workshop on Wednesday, May 29. The workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Walker Middle School Cafeteria, located at 8282 North Mobley Road in Odessa.The state Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for…