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Visitors to the District’s headquarters and service offices are greeted by Florida-friendly landscaping, thanks to the work of proactive staff at each office. Several of the tradesworkers who help maintain the landscaping have taken additional training to learn about Florida-friendly landscaping™ practices, including plant selection and fertilizer ordinances. In addition, the staff also works with Extension agents and other experts when they have a question. “The… Read more

What is a feral hog? Feral hogs are wild animals originated from domestic livestock. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) considers feral hogs an invasive exotic species. What kind of damage can a feral hog do? They negatively impact wetlands and other habitats by "rooting" up the soil searching for food. They prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. How did… Read more

This project restored natural coastal habitats and treats stormwater runoff to improve the water quality and natural systems of Clam Bayou. Property Information Clam Bayou is a 170-acre estuary in Pinellas County. It is surrounded by the cities of Gulfport to the west, St. Petersburg to the north and east, and Boca Ciega Bay to the south. Approximately 127 acres of Clam Bayou are publicly owned. Project Background Until the 1920s, Clam Bayou was relatively… Read more

The watershed includes a rich mosaic of natural habitats: hardwood swamps, pine flatwoods, sandhills, oak hammocks, salt barrens and cypress domes. Saw palmetto thrives in the watershed’s flatwoods and sandhills where the sandy soil is well-drained. It forms dense colonies with ground-hugging, serpentine trunks and clusters of green, fanlike fronds. A variety of trees also make their home here, including sweet gum, water locust, laurel oak, slash pine and the bald… Read more

Danger Down Below Remember that an aquifer is an underground layer of spongelike rock that holds water. Since the water lies hidden underground, most people can only imagine what an aquifer looks like. Here in Florida, highly-trained experts can visit an aquifer! Of course, it’s not that simple. Cave diving requires expensive equipment, plenty of knowledge and special skills. Even then it is very dangerous. Windows into the Aquifer… 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.  Flooding from a storm or natural disaster If you are experiencing flooding, your first contact should be your local government.… Read more

Land and water are forever linked by Florida’s natural water cycles. Lands surrounding lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries serve as natural buffers to filter out pollution before it reaches the nearest water body. Undeveloped land can also allow for water recharge to the aquifer in some areas and water storage during major storm events. The Southwest Florida Water Management District and other agencies and governments purchase conservation lands to… Read more

As Operations bureau chief, Jerry Mallams is responsible for overseeing a wide range of activities, including structure operations, land management, construction and data collection. He oversees the 85 District-owned flood control and water conservation structures and canal rights-of-way within the 16-county area. In addition, he oversees the maintenance of 271,000 acres of District conservation lands. His bureau provides construction services for hydrologic restoration… Read more

Americans with Disabilities Act and discrimination in federally funded programs public grievance procedure  The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions, including access to and participation in the District’s programs, services and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation, or would like information as to the… Read more

Take a journey down the Alafia River. Spanish explorers called it the Hunting River. Mocoso Indians called it River of Fire. It’s a historic water body with a prehistoric name that spans 25 miles long in west-central Florida. Let's get started on our excursion Read more

Drawdowns in aquifer levels in the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA), due primarily to groundwater withdrawals, have contributed to lowered lake levels in the Ridge Lakes area which extends roughly 90 miles along the center of the state in… Read more

Much progress has been made to restore Sarasota Bay since it was designated an "estuary of national significance" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1987. That same year, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program was formed and remains very active today. It is one of three cooperative partnerships along Florida’s Gulf Coast that includes local communities, researchers and government agencies all… Read more

The Springs Coast Watershed features one of the largest and most spectacular expanses of salt and brackish marshes found in Florida. Four of the five springs groups in the watershed discharge directly into the Gulf of America in a region that is the second largest seagrass area in the continental United States. With an estimated 700,000 acres — the size of more than 530,000 football fields — the Springs Coast seagrass area is one of the largest seagrass areas in the world.As… Read more

 Highlights

• The lower half of the river is part of the more than 31,000-acre Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
• Designated an Outstanding Florida Water
• Located in Citrus County
• 190-square-mile springshed

ChallengesThe main challenges in the Chassahowitzka springshed are: 

• Ecological shifts in the river caused by sea level rise, coupled with the decline of spring discharge primarily due to a long-term decrease in…

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As Water Resources bureau chief, Jay Hoecker is responsible for management and oversight of regional water supply planning; water supply and resource development projects; economics and demography; water conservation projects; and septic to sewer conversion projects. Hoecker also oversees the FARMS program, which offers cost-share assistance to the agricultural community for conservation, water quality, natural system and alternative water supply best management practices (… Read more

There aren’t many big predators walking around in Florida. Wolves are gone, bears are rare and panthers are nearly extinct. But in the water, it’s different. Florida’s fresh water has alligators and crocodiles — big toothy reptiles. In the ocean there are sharks — big toothy fish. Of course, hardly anyone gets bitten by gators or sharks, but it happens enough to make us all a bit nervous. It’s great to be able to share the state with animals that have been living here… Read more

The Water Matters Podcast answers your most popular questions about the work done by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and services offered including new projects, springs protection, water conservation efforts and more. Learn about the many ways we serve the community and protect your resources.

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? You might have poured it from a tap or bought it at the store, but it had to come from somewhere before that. Any guesses? The ocean? That would be a good guess because the oceans contain most of earth’s water, about 97%! But would you drink a glass of seawater? No! The salt would make you sick. We need fresh water. Not just any fresh water though. Did you know most of the world’s fresh water is frozen… Read more