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On a stifling hot July morning, Paul Elliott, a senior land manager with the District, and Robert Jarrard, a local outdoor enthusiast, traveled deep into the Green Swamp to place a new grave marker at the site of a shocking and gruesome double murder that happened almost 90 years ago. The bodies of Isham and Sarah Stewart were discovered in May of 1918. The coroner’s report stated they were killed in their beds with an ax, at least a week before they were found.… Read more

Five Polk County projects that are expected to reach approximately 27,100 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants offer 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… Read more

Worth the Wait A project in the works for more than a decade is revitalizing Lake Maggiore and its 2,290-acre watershed in southern Pinellas County. “This project attempts to set back the clock on a long history of water quality problems at Lake Maggiore,” said Manuel López, project manager and senior environmental scientist with the District’s environmental section. “We think residents who live near the lake, as well as visitors, will eventually see conditions… Read more

Eight Polk County projects were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 49 grants Districtwide for a total of $171,444. This is the 10th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to… Read more

Abnormally dry conditions and the lightning that accompanies summer rains have combined to keep the District’s Land Management staff extremely busy this wildfire season, which typically runs from April through June. Since the beginning of May through the end of July, the District and the Florida Division of Forestry (FDOF) have battled more than 40 fires on District lands, including two that were more than 400 acres each. As of mid-August, wildfires burned 2,076 acres… Read more

Minimizing flood risks is an important part of the mission of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The District and local governments work together to minimize flooding impacts, protect personal property and assist flood victims during and after storm events. Learn more about those efforts below, and click the tiles for Frequently Asked Questions related to flooding or who to contact when flooding. 

Water Conservation Is Critical During Drought The District is continuing to step up its water conservation efforts during the state’s annual “Water Conservation Month” in April. Each year the District joins with the state Legislature, Tampa Bay Water and dozens of local governments to make the declaration. However, because the state is experiencing a severe drought, the message is even more timely. “Because April is part of Florida’s dry season, it… Read more

New Leadership If there’s one certainty, it is this: Thomas G. Dabney is prepared. Soon after being named to the Governing Board in April 2000, Dabney granted a wide-ranging interview to The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The interview covered such complex topics as saltwater intrusion and the hydrogeology of west-central Florida. He was prepared. Dabney was prepared one year after joining the Board when he was named vice chair, devouring mountains of material that… Read more

The District’s response team jumps into action to help the Suwannee River Water Management District with flooding in its area. (Photo courtesy Paul Buchanan) As Tropical Storm Debby churned in the Gulf of Mexico in June, it brought record rainfall, flooding and damage to various areas of the District. As part of the District’s core mission of flood protection, staff immediately responded to the needs of the community in a variety of ways. The… Read more

6000 B.C.While archaeologists report evidence of human activity in the Green Swamp dating back to as early as 6000 B.C., permanent ancient human settlements have never been discovered. However, it has always been home to an abundance of plant and animal life, making it attractive for human use. The land was used by ancient peoples for hunting and food gathering, as well as collecting material to make weapons.1513-1542 A.D. Hernando de Soto explored the area  … Read more

The District is taking the state’s annual water conservation efforts in April to another level as the need to conserve is more important than ever. “April is part of Florida’s dry season and the time when the District makes an extra effort to remind residents about the need to conserve,” said Michael Molligan, communications director. “However, this year our water supplies are extremely low, so we have been stepping up our public awareness campaign because we need… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will participate in a joint workshop with St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts, on the draft 2024 minimum flows and levels (MFLs) priority list and schedule. This workshop is an opportunity to solicit stakeholder input on each district’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations.Microsoft TEAMS meeting Link:… Read more

  Cockroach Bay before and after (top right) restoration.                   Gazing from atop the crest of “Mount Cockroach,” visitors were treated to the views of lush wetlands, uplands and coastal habitats of Cockroach Bay. They saw birds and other wildlife freely roam through the flourishing vegetation that surrounded the calm waters. But the distant view of city… Read more

Hernando County residents who completed a rain barrel class at the county Extension office each took home their own rain barrel. Darcy Paust used to collect rainwater in buckets placed around her Spring Hill home to water her plants. Then she read about a rain barrel class in the paper and thought having a rain barrel would be easier than collecting the water from her buckets. Paust joined the thousands of residents who attend rain barrel classes at their… Read more

Top: Volunteers install aquatic plants at Dunnellon’s Blue Run Park. Second from top: Master Gardeners Chet Olshewsky, left, and JoEllen Allen staff an Ask-An-Expert Booth in Inverness. Third from top: Boy Scouts from Troop 452 mark storm drains in Dunnellon. Fourth from top: Water Quality Monitoring Program staff lead a tour of Kings Bay. Bottom: Dave DeWitt, District senior geologist/engineer, center, takes a tour group into Dames Caves. Educational events held… Read more

  April is Water Conservation Month for a reason. It is the time of year in our state when the demand for water resources is high and the supply is low. Although the spring months are typically the driest part of the year, this year’s recent warmer-than-usual temperatures and less-than-average rainfall have resulted in severely low water resources. “We are currently in a moderate drought, with the northern region of our District more heavily affected,” said… Read more

District scientists and planners recently completed an updated Regional Water Supply Plan to assess projected water demands and identify potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025. The Regional Water Supply Plan was first developed in 2001 and is periodically revised based on updated information such as the demand for water. The plan, which was created for a ten-county area from Pasco County to Charlotte County, also identifies the… Read more

Ensuring that central Florida has the water it needs is at the core of the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI). Three water management districts -- the St. Johns River, South Florida and Southwest Florida – are finding new sources and new ways, through the CFWI, to maintain and build the area's water supply, while protecting the area's natural resources. Practicing water conservation at home is also critical to helping ensure adequate water supply in the community… Read more