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Contact Us »
Brooksville Headquarters2379 Broad StreetBrooksville, FL 34604-6899 (Google map)Phone: (352) 796-72111-800-423-1476 (Florida only)Emergency after-hours: (352) 796-1211Please call for fax numbers.Government Affairs Program Manager:Carrieann Adkins …
Dave Dickens, General Services Bureau Chief »
As bureau chief of General Services, Dave Dickens oversees the District’s Document Services, Public Records, Fleet Services and Facilities sections.Dave has 12 years of experience managing transportation, facilities and safety programs for water management districts in Florida.He most recently served as the Transportation and Facilities Bureau chief for St. Johns River Water Management District, where he managed budget, procurement, capital projects and contract management.…
Hiking »
Enjoy the beauty of west-central Florida at its best by hiking on miles of natural trails. Take a Hike District lands are open for hiking and related activities that can be enjoyed on foot, such as nature study, bird watching, outdoor photography, jogging and backpacking. Most trails are located on old roadbeds and have a natural surface that changes constantly depending on weather and soil conditions…
Crystal River and Kings Bay »
Moving southwest you will find Crystal River, which is in Citrus County and runs from the town of Crystal River west for seven miles towards the Gulf of America. Crystal River’s headwaters is an area known as Kings Bay, which has more than 70 springs. Crystal River/Kings Bay is the second largest springs group in Florida, the first being Wakulla Springs in northern Florida near Tallahassee.Many of the river's springs are 20 to 30 feet deep, and the water discharging from…
Weekiwachee Preserve »
The Weekiwachee Preserve is an area of protected land owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). Covering over 11,200 acres, the preserve is in Hernando County. It provides a wide array of wildlife habitats, including several miles along the Weeki Wachee River, portions of the Mud River, dense hardwood swamps, freshwater and saltwater marshes and pine-…
Birding »
Whether you are a casual viewer or an avid birder working on your life birding list, bird-watching opportunities abound on all District lands. Sites with the best bird-watching opportunities are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and are listed in the column on the right side of this page. Maps of the west coast portion of the trail can be obtained from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission web site at…
Minimum Flows for the Lower Hillsborough River »
The District is evaluating the established strategy needed to recover minimum flows adopted for the Lower Hillsborough River. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. OverviewMinimum flows are limits established by the District’s Governing Board for surface watercourses that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may…
Michelle Weaver, Employee, Outreach and General Services Division Director »
As director of the Employee, Outreach and General Services Division, Michelle Weaver oversees the Human Resources Office, Ombudsman Office, Government & Community Affairs Office, Communications & Board Services Bureau and General Services Bureau.Weaver has been…
ePIC Introductory Videos »
WUP Introduction A quick introduction to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Water Use Permitting (WUP) program and instructions on becoming an online registered user.   What is ePIC A quick introduction to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s new Online Water Use Permit Information Center (ePIC).   Intro to ePIC An instructional video for utilizing the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s new Online…
Lake Panasoffkee »
 Highlights
  • Lake Panasoffkee is the third largest lake (4,820 acres) in west central Florida
  • Designated an Outstanding Florida Water
  • Located in Sumter County
ChallengesThe main challenges facing Lake Panosoffkee stem from substantial groundwater input from the Floridan aquifer. This input has created:
  • Loss of lake area due to sedimentation
  • Loss of desirable habitat for fisheries
  • Increased shoreline vegetation and…
Lakes and Tributaries »
In addition to flow from springs, the Withlacoochee River also receives water from several tributaries. The most notable are the Little Withlacoochee River, Gum Slough, Jumper Creek and the Outlet River from Lake Panasoffkee.Several lakes, including Lake Panasoffkee, Tsala Apopka and Lake Rousseau, are also key features that affect river flows. Along with the Withlacoochee and Rainbow rivers, these lakes are all designated Outstanding Florida Waters by the State of Florida.…
Frost/Freeze Protection »
Overview It is common practice for local farmers to spray water on their crops during frost/freeze events to protect the crop. It is a best management practice for strawberry, blueberry and citrus crops and plant nurseries. Water use permits issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) allow frost/freeze quantities that are based on long-term historical pumping records and guidance from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and…
Brian Werthmiller, Office of Inspector General »
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…
Ecological Diversity »
 The Peace River watershed is home to an extraordinary assortment of plants and animals. Some are common; some are extremely rare.Coreopsis, the state wildflower, is widespread. Its delicate yellow blooms brighten the riverbanks year-round. The riverbanks are also lined with palmettos, cypress, water locust, sweet gum, cabbage palm and live oak. Some of the trees have dark, muddy skirts. These are the high-water marks of the seasonal floods. Nearing the estuary, red,…
Water CHAMP »
The Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program, or Water CHAMPSM, is a free towel and linen reuse program that encourages hotel and motel guests to use their towels and linens more than once during their stay.Tourists flock to Florida to enjoy the sandy beaches, scenic lakes and meandering rivers. Water CHAMP lodging facilities protect Florida's water resources by conserving water and reducing pollutants entering the environment.You can help keep Florida…
About SWIM »
In 1987 the Florida Legislature created the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act to protect, restore and maintain Florida's highly threatened surface water bodies. Under this act, the state's five water management districts identify a list of priority water bodies within their authority and implement plans to improve them. The District's SWIM Program The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management…
Oscar Scherer State Park »
 Have you ever seen a bald eagle in flight or watched a group of river otters playing in the water? These are just a few of the creatures you may see walking along one of the trails at Oscar Scherer State Park, which offers 1,400 acres for visitors to explore and experience the real Florida.The area includes two special plant upland communities of pine…