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A spring is a place where groundwater discharges from the underlying limestone bedrock to the Earth's surface through a natural opening in the ground. In the Springs Coast Watershed, the Floridan aquifer is close to the land surface, which means that the springs are exposed portions of the aquifer! As windows into the aquifer, springs have long been one of Florida's most valued natural and scenic resources. In 1513, the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon came to Florida in… Read more
As Data Collection bureau chief, Sandie Will is responsible for overseeing the Geohydrologic Data; Hydrologic Data; the Water Quality Monitoring Program; and Mapping/GIS sections. Activities conducted in these sections include coring; well construction; aquifer performance testing; water level and atmospheric data collection; groundwater and surface water quality sampling; land surveying; laboratory analyses; geospatial data… Read more
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has published the Florida Statewide Annual Report on Total Maximum Daily Loads, Basin Management Action Plans, Minimum Flows or Minimum Water Levels, and Recovery or Prevention Strategies on its website pursuant to section 403.0675, F.S. This report includes the status of protection and restoration actions through total maximum daily loads, basin management action plans, minimum flows or minimum water levels, and recovery or… Read more
The Northern Planning Region encompasses all of Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties and portions of Lake, Levy and Marion counties. It is one of the more rural areas of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, with agriculture, rangeland, upland forest and wetlands constituting approximately 75 percent of all land uses. Population centers include Ocala, northern Sumter County and western Hernando County. The region includes extensive tracts of… Read more
Michelle Hopkins is a water resources engineer with more than 30 years of experience in both the private and public sector. As director of the Regulation Division, Hopkins oversees the District’s permitting and compliance sections that support the Environmental Resource Permit, Water Use Permit and Well Construction Permit programs. She is also responsible for overseeing the… Read more
Conservation Lands
The region’s lands and waters are forever linked by Florida’s natural water cycles. Undeveloped land allows for water recharge to the aquifer and water storage during major storm events. Lands surrounding lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries also serve as natural buffers to filter out pollution before it reaches the nearest water body. The Southwest Florida Water Management District and other agencies and governments purchase… Read more
Lemon Bay extends about 13 miles long and is separated from the Gulf of America by Little Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key. It is designated by the State of Florida as an aquatic preserve and an Outstanding Florida Waterway among other recognitions. The Lemon Bay area is bustling with live creatures, such as eagles, pinfish, pelicans,… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) acquires lands for the conservation and protection of the water and water-related resources, including lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries. These conservation lands serve as natural filters improving water quality, storing and retaining flood waters and helping recharge our aquifers. They also are home to many native plants and animals.
The District is required to maintain a balance between public access,… Read more
The Chassahowitzka Springs form the headwaters of the Chassahowitzka River in the town of Homosassa. It is considered one of the more scenic rivers in Florida as it flows nearly seven miles through mostly undeveloped area before discharging into the Gulf of America near the Citrus and Hernando County border. Most of the lands adjacent to the river are in public ownership, meaning they will retain much of their natural beauty for generations to come.… Read more
Highlights
- Charlotte Harbor is Florida's second largest open water estuary at 270 square miles
- Generally considered one of the most productive estuarine ecosystems in southwest Florida
- Designated an "Estuary of National Significance" in 1995
- Includes Charlotte, Lee, and a portion of Sarasota County
- 4,400-square-mile watershed
- Alteration and…
Highlights
- Tidally influenced Kings Bay is the headwater of Crystal River
- Hydrologically unique springs system comprised of more than 30 springs
- Designated an Outstanding Florida Water
- Located in Citrus County
- 364-square-mile watershed
- Kings Bay forms the largest, natural warm-water refuge for the Florida Manatee in the United States.
From June through November, we live nervously here in Florida. Why? Energy and water from the tropics can venture toward the southeastern U.S. in gigantic, spinning storms we call “hurricanes.”
Hurricanes have been in the news a lot lately. They can be very destructive, but they’re also part of the natural cycle in Florida. Of course, no one wants to be part of a natural cycle that includes storm surges, massive waves, devastating flooding and winds… Read more
As assistant executive director, Mandi Rice oversees the day-to-day operations of the District’s five divisions: Resource Management, Regulation, Management Services, Employee & External Relations, and Operations, Lands & Resource Monitoring.Before joining the District, Rice worked at Tampa Bay Water, Florida’s largest wholesale water supplier, for 18 years in various positions including project manager, senior manager of construction and, most recently, operations… Read more
Fishing »
The District preserves hundreds of miles of freshwater shoreline along many of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in the region.Fishing is allowed along the banks of District water bodies and by boat unless an area is posted closed to fishing. All fishing on District lands is subject to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission license requirements and regulations.How to contact… Read more
Addressing Drainage Complaints and IssuesAre you experiencing flooding or drainage not caused by a storm event? Confused about which government agency to reach out to for help? Use this reference guide to find out who to contact. Contact the Southwest Florida Water Management District for drainage complaints or issues related to:
- Stormwater management systems (i.e. retention ponds, swales, etc.) in District-…
The 7.5 mile-long Weeki Wachee River is another spring-fed river on the Springs Coast. Its headwater is Weeki Wachee Springs, one of Florida’s legendary roadside attractions where tourists, including Elvis Presley, have been coming to see the famous live mermaids in the underwater theater since the 1940s. The headsprings and surrounding land are now owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and managed by the Florida Park Service as Weeki Wachee Springs State… Read more
District staff celebrated many accomplishments in 2012 and continued to serve the community by carrying out the core mission.
After decades of collaboration and work with other cities, agencies and community partners, several restoration projects were completed in 2012. Projects like those at Cockroach Bay and Clam Bayou improved water quality and restored sensitive habitats.
Mother Nature packed a wallop in 2012, bringing the threat of two tropical storms. Staff… Read more
March 14, 2025The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is committed to providing a website accessible to the public, regardless of disability. To further this commitment, the District uses a web scanning service to assist with website accessibility and optimization. The District follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, level AA technical standard, and is currently working toward achieving… Read more
Water Use Permit Bureau Chief
As bureau chief of the Water Use Permit Program, Darrin Herbst is responsible for overseeing water use permit evaluation, water use permit compliance, well construction permitting, and demand management.
Herbst began his career at the District in 2001 as a professional geologist. He has served as manager of Water Use Regulation and senior professional geologist in the Tampa Regulation Service Office.
Herbst is a licensed professional… Read more
The Venice area is rich in history and has important archeological sites. In fact, there are traces of settlements from over 10,000 years ago when the Florida peninsula was twice as wide as it is today. At that time, it was an area with vast savannas, grasslands and open prairies.Several thousand years later, the Calusa Indians, who dominated most of South Florida, thrived in the area as an important civilization for many generations. They left canal systems, impressive… Read more