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Highlights
- System of 19 interconnected lakes, made up of two major groups; five in the northern chain and 14 in the southern chain
- Lakes were interconnected through the construction of canals to promote commerce
- Located in Polk County
- 32-square-mile watershed
- Nutrient loading from urban runoff
- Destruction of natural systems…
With nearly 30 percent of the watershed being conservation lands, there are many opportunities for recreation throughout the Withlacoochee River watershed. Many people enjoy visiting public conservation lands obtained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources. The lands are open to the public for family activities such as hiking, bicycling, hunting, horseback riding, fishing, camping, nature study, paddling…
As director of the Business and IT Services Division, Brandon Baldwin is responsible for leadership and oversight of the Finance and Information Technology bureaus as well as Procurement Services Office.Baldwin has 16 years of experience in budget, information technology, financial management, procurement, strategy and leadership. His most recent role was the Financial Management Systems Division director for the Department of the Navy. In this role, he managed a…
Land acquisition is the most effective approach to protecting ecologically significant areas. Under District ownership, land can be preserved and protected. Statutory mandates require that the District’s management of such lands ensures a balance between public access, general public recreational purposes, and restoration and protection of their natural state and condition. To preserve and protect the natural features of the Green Swamp, the District and other agencies…
A Well Construction Permit is required prior to installation of a water well within the District. The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors and meet rigid safety and durability standards. The rules in Chapter 40D-3, F.A.C. govern the construction of water wells and water well contractor licensing, and implement the provisions of…
Communications & Board Services Bureau Chief
As bureau chief of Communications & Board Services, Robyn Felix oversees the District’s communications and outreach to internal and external audiences, including the news media, strategic planning and support services to the District’s Executive Team and 13-member Governing Board.
Felix has more than 12 years of experience at the District serving in a variety of non-management and management roles, including…
As bureau chief of Land Resources, Ellen Morgan Morrison is responsible for oversight of the District’s broad range of land-related activities covering more than 453,000 acres across all or part of 16 counties, including real estate services, land use requests and land management. Morrison oversees all District land acquisitions and sales, along with maintenance, recreation, security and management of the District’s approximately 265,000 acres of…
Nancy Watkins of Tampa is a certified public accountant at Robert Watkins & Company, P.A.Watkins was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2023 and reappointed in August 2025. Her term expires March 1, 2029.Watkins currently serves on the Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees and was previously appointed to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees.She earned her associate degree from Hillsborough Community College and her bachelor’…
Osprey »
The osprey, or sea eagle, is a large bird of prey that is commonly seen circling above lakes, rivers, streams and ponds, or perched on dead trees (also known as "snags") or telephone poles. It is almost the size of an eagle and is dark brown with a white head and a brown mask from the eyes down to the cheeks. It also has a white and brown breast and underside. The osprey has large talons that allow it to "fish" by diving down and gripping onto fish. Additionally, the…
The project’s goal is to restore the area back to its natural state, which helps improve resiliency in the natural systems and provide healthy habitat for native wildlife. Project Overview The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is scheduled to conduct a coastal restoration project at Cape Haze located in Charlotte County, just south of the Rotonda West community. The project is scheduled to begin spring 2026 and is predicted to take 24…
What is a datum?A datum is a standard position or level (i.e., starting point) from which measurements are taken.What is the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29)?Originally called the Sea Level Datum of 1929, it was created for vertical control surveying in the United States. This datum was used to measure elevation above (altitude) and depression below (depth) mean sea level. However, as technology improved and the demand for greater accuracy increased,…
Highlights
- Largest natural lake in Hillsborough County with a surface area of greater than 800 acres
- Popular for recreational use as it is one of the few natural lakes in the area with public access
- Discharges into the Hillsborough River which is used for municipal water supply for the City of Tampa
- Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme…
Kelly Rice, of Webster, is the president of Prime Property Resources, Inc., Rice Cattle Company and Physical Therapy Services of Brooksville, Inc.Rice was appointed to the Governing Board in September 2015 and reappointed in September 2019 and again in August 2023. Rice was reappointed to a four-year term ending March 1, 2027.A Florida native, Rice was born in Lakeland, FL and graduated from Pasco Comprehensive High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business…
Fees May Be Assessed for Extensive Personnel Services:Per Florida Statutes, when inspection or reproduction of records requires extensive clerical, information technology or supervisory resources, the District may assess a special service charge, in addition to any reproduction fees. Requests totaling more than 100 copies or which require more than 30 minutes of an employee’s time, shall be presumed to require extensive personnel services.Please note:…
The purpose of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) is to provide input into District programs and activities.This includes regulatory programs, rule revisions, water conservation activities, water resource planning, water resource and supply development projects, research and other water resource management projects that relate to the environment. Subject matter considered by the EAC shall relate to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the District.EAC members…
The Weeki Wachee Springs Restoration Project improved water quality and enhanced the overall natural system.
Project Overview
The Southwest Florida Water Management District restored portions of Weeki Wachee Springs in 2009 to improve water quality in the headspring and the upper river, as well as enhance the overall natural system.
Background
The Weeki Wachee Restoration Project was the second project aimed at cleaning up the springs.
The first project…
About the Watershed Management ProgramThe District takes a watershed approach to managing water and water-related resources within its boundaries. By doing so, all the characteristics of each watershed can be evaluated to reflect the real, interconnected nature of Florida’s water resources. This increases the District’s ability to clearly identify, prioritize and address issues related to the area’s water resources. The Watershed Management Program provides a method to…
District actions regarding issuance or denial of a permit, petition or qualification for exemption, only become closed to future legal challenges if third parties have been properly notified and no third party objects within a specific period.Noticing of Agency ActionNotification of third parties is provided through publication of certain information in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties where the proposed activities are to occur. Publication of…
The Five-Year Water Resource Development Work Program (Work Program or WRDWP) is part of the District’s annual budget reporting process. The Work Program describes the District’s implementation strategy and five-year funding plan for the water resource and water supply development components of the approved Regional Water Supply Plans and annual budgets. The District provides a Proposed Work Program to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for review within…
A sound is a wide channel linking two large bodies of water or separating an island from the mainland.Gasparilla Sound is east of Gasparilla Island, where the community of Boca Grande is located, and connects to the Charlotte Harbor. Salt marshes, mangrove swamps and salt flats spread along its shores. It receives freshwater runoff through a variety of sources such as Buck, Coral and Whiden creeks and the Catfish Creek Bayou. Gasparilla Island’s first inhabitants…