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Water is restless; it likes to move on a constant journey known as the water cycle. Gravity makes it flow downhill, off your roof, into creeks, down rivers and even over giant waterfalls. Some water soaks into the ground through percolation, but most of it ends up filling the oceans, which cover over two-thirds of the planet. The water cycle doesn’t end in the oceans though. Water at the sea’s surface is able to… Read more

Ed Armstrong of Dunedin is an attorney with Hill Ward Henderson in Clearwater.Armstrong was appointed to the Governing Board in June 2014, and was reappointed in October 2020 and June 2022. His term ends March 1, 2026.A lifelong Florida resident, Armstrong graduated from Dunedin High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Cum Laude, from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Juris doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University School… Read more

Following the Governor’s directions to reduce public gatherings and practice social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, in-person attendance will be limited. With the exception of the Governing Board chair, all other Board members will be participating remotely. Only staff that are necessary for the meeting are attending in person at the Brooksville Headquarters, and all cooperators and members of the public will participate remotely. Fiscal… Read more

Required Documents Please ensure you have completed all New Hire Paperwork provided during the on-boarding process.On your first day of employment, you must present “acceptable documents” for identification as described on page 9 of the Instructions for Form I-9.   Benefits The Benefit … Read more

The Chassahowitzka Springs Restoration Project improved water quality and the bottom habitat for plants and animals. Project OverviewThe Southwest Florida Water Management District restored portions of Chassahowitzka Springs by removing accumulated sediments, which improved the water quality and the bottom habitat for plants and animals.BackgroundSand and organic materials have been transported by flows from residential canals and stormwater runoff to the springs and… Read more

Vendor Registration Form The District's Vendor Registration form is a substitute Internal Revenue Service W-9 form that enables the collection of information required to comply with federal income tax laws. Request a Vendor Registration form by emailing VendorRegistration@WaterMatters.org or by calling (352) 505-2970. Be sure to include the commodity codes… Read more

Why does the District surplus land?The District’s Governing Board policy 610-4 requires an assessment of District lands every two years for potential surplus opportunities. The objective of the assessment is to identify and sell lands that no longer meet the original acquisition purposes of providing substantive water resource benefits. Proceeds from the sale of land may only be used to purchase lands meeting the Districts land acquisition goals or debt service associated… Read more

Details The Lake Hancock Outfall Treatment Project involves constructing a 1,000-acre treatment wetland to improve water quality leaving the lake. The wetland treatment system will be built on part of the 3,500-acre parcel of land formerly known as Old Florida Plantation. Water will flow through large areas of wetland vegetation where nutrients… Read more

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’… Read more

Joshua Gamblin of Arcadia is the Ranch Manager of Stolen Saddle Ranch.Gamblin was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2024. His term expires March 1, 2028.Previously, he served as the land manager, wildlife biologist, and private land burn team coordinator for the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.Gamblin earned his bachelor’s degree in natural resource management in wildlife from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and his master’s degree in forest… Read more

As Subtropical Storm Nicole approaches Florida, the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is monitoring the storm for potential emergency operations. It is important for staff to stay informed as the storm could potentially bring tropical storm force wind gusts and significant rainfall as early as Wednesday. We will make every effort to communicate information to employees in the following ways:

• Internal Communications Emails: …

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The initiative was designed to better understand the dynamics of the river and watershed, identify how alterations have affected the system, and evaluate alternatives to better manage the water resources. STATUS UPDATE: A peer review of the Withlacoochee River Model was completed in 2020. This peer review concluded that the model results and conclusions are accurate and can be relied upon for resource management and understanding of this complex river… Read more

View Statewide Forms » All 62-330, F.A.C. Statewide Environmental Resource Permitting (SWERP) forms can be accessed and downloaded from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website. To access these forms, please visit the … Read more

As Tropical Storm Ian approaches Florida, the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has activated to Level 2 and has begun preparing for potential emergency operations. It is important for staff to stay informed as the storm could potentially bring tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall as early as Wednesday. Staff with District vehicles should begin to top off fuel daily in anticipation of the storm. We will make every effort to communicate information… Read more

Water utilities can reduce per capita water use and maintain revenues by using water-conserving rate structures. Your water management district can provide information and tools to help utilities accomplish these goals.Why Use Rates to Conserve?In many areas of Florida, water supplies are stressed as growth fuels new demand for water. To ensure a sustainable water supply, utilities are tapping alternative sources including conservation. The pricing of water is one way to… Read more

Details The Lake Hancock Lake Level Modification Project involves replacing the P-11 Water Conservation Structure that was built in 1963. The new structure will allow the District to maintain higher lake levels, increasing the elevation from 98.7 feet above sea level to 100 feet (NGVD 29). The proposed normal operating level of 100 feet was determined to be the approximate historical level… Read more

   The District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday for the latest slate of officers for the 2025-2026 term.Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks and ensure the public’s water needs are met.The new officers are:… Read more

The District is facilitating an independent scientific peer review of wetland-based criteria for establishing minimum water levels to prevent significant harm caused by water withdrawals. Overview The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is holding an independent, scientific peer review of wetland-based criteria for use in establishing minimum wetland and lake levels beginning in May 2022. A minimum level is the level of groundwater in an aquifer… Read more

The Homosassa River is another spring fed river beginning at Homosassa Springs. This short, slow-moving tidal river flows eight miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of America in Citrus County.The river is a mixture of fresh water from the headsprings and salt water from the Gulf of America. The tidal influence makes the river home to both freshwater and saltwater fish. Some of the freshwater fish you'll find in the Homosassa River include Bluegill,… Read more

 A tributary is a small stream or river that flows into a larger one. The Peace River is fed by many tributaries.Saddle CreekIn the northern portion of the watershed, Upper Saddle Creek originates in the Green Swamp and flows into Lake Hancock, the largest lake in the watershed. Lower Saddle Creek drains out of Lake Hancock before it meets Peace Creek and forms the Peace River northeast of Bartow.  Peace CreekPeace Creek originates… Read more