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The Citrus County Task Force is inviting the public to a stakeholders conference to discuss Citrus County water resources.The conference is being held Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Citrus Springs Community Center, located at 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd. in Citrus Springs.During the conference representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Transportation, Citrus… Read more

A study of the fish and invertebrates in the Weeki Wachee River estuary will help the Southwest Florida Water Management District in establishing minimum flows for the Weeki Wachee River.Aimed at determining the freshwater needs of biological communities associated with the river, the study is being conducted by the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.Researchers have been collecting fish and invertebrates, such as pink shrimp and blue crab, on a… Read more

Dozens of paddlers recently joined the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team on their excursion along the Rainbow River.  The District recently hosted the Rainbow River Paddle trail mixer in partnership with the expedition at Rainbow Springs State Park. Despite some chilly temperatures, more than 50 people came out to paddle in the event.  Before people launched their canoes and kayaks, they had a chance to meet the expedition team and some of the… Read more

Governor Rick Scott appointed Joel Schleicher and Rebecca Smith to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Schleicher represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties and Smith represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Schleicher, 65, of Sarasota, is the founder and executive chairman of Focal Point Data Risk, LLC. Schleicher received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed for a term beginning May 12, 2017, and… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Mattaniah Property, in partnership with Hillsborough County, in the Alafia River Watershed. This 629-acre parcel of land adjoins the Alafia River Reserve, which is in existing District ownership and managed by Polk County, and contains portions of English Creek, Thirty-mile Creek, and the North Prong of the Alafia River in Hillsborough County.This is the first joint… Read more

Today, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement of more than 1,088 acres of Triangle Ranch in Manatee County, in the upper Myakka River watershed. This action will prevent future development on this property by securing $2 million toward the purchase of the conservation agreement, and is a key part in the permanent protection of this important piece of land. "The Board's action today… Read more

The Coleman's Landing boat ramp on the east side of Lake Panasoffkee will reopen to the public on Saturday, July 15. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has completed an aquatic plant removal project which required the temporary closure of the boat ramp.Aquatic plants were harvested to create boat access trails across the lake through areas of dense vegetation. For more… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Southworth Tract, a 589-acre parcel of land located within the Weekiwachee Preserve. This important property purchase will allow the District to substantially complete the Weekiwachee Preserve Project by connecting seven District-owned parcels. This acquisition meets all four of the District’s Areas of Responsibility, which are water supply, water quality,… Read more

*Who:*Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, Stages Productions, kindergarten and first-grade students from Kenly Elementary School*What:*This watershed awareness week event targets grade-school students. The goal is to teach students about the Hillsborough River watershed through an interactive theatre performance about water conservation and protection. The play “Water Pigs” is a fun take-off on the classic story of the three little pigs.The presentation is… Read more

The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) Steering Committee recently accepted the amended Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) and the draft 2035 Water Resources Protection and Water Supply Strategies Plan (Solutions Plan). That action sends the documents to the Governing Boards of three central Florida water management districts for consideration. The RWSP charts a long-term course for water supply in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and south Lake counties through 2035.… Read more

The "Central Florida Water Initiative":http://cfwiwater.com/ (CFWI) Steering Committee today accepted the amended Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) and the draft 2035 Water Resources Protection and Water Supply Strategies Plan (Solutions Plan). Today's action sends the documents to the Governing Boards of three central Florida water management districts for consideration.The RWSP charts a long-term course for water supply in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and south Lake… Read more

A media alert issued this morning by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue regarding smoke in northern Hillsborough County contained incorrect information. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has not conducted any controlled burns in two months due to the current drought conditions.A 118-acre wildfire started on Saturday in the District’s Conner Preserve near Ehren Cutoff in Pasco County. The fire is contained and under the authority of the Florida Division of… Read more

Gov. Charlie Crist on April 1 reappointed Todd Pressman, and appointed Jeffrey Adams to the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org Governing Board."Pressman(Todd Pressman)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/profiles/todd_pressman.html is from Oldsmar and is the owner and president of Pressman & Associates. His new term ends March 1, 2014. Pressman was elected Board chair in… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District (Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org will be treating "water lettuce(Invasive Plants)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/aquaticplants/ on the Rainbow River during the week of January 11.District workers will treat the Rainbow River from the headspring to the Withlacoochee River. Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations, and post warning signs in the… Read more

A District employee who has devoted his career to reclaimed water has been recognized for his dedication. The Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) recently named Anthony Andrade, District project manager and senior water conservation analyst, the “Water Reuse Person of the Year” when he was presented with the David W. York Reuse Award at the Florida Water Resources annual conference in Orlando. The annual award is given to the person who has been an… Read more

​ The District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday for the latest slate of officers for the 2023-2024 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 Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on Lake Okahumpka in Sumter County on March 27-30.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol K.Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated water should not be used for irrigation, domestic purposes or watering livestock for 14 days following treatment. Do not use fish caught from treated areas… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on Lake Okahumpka in Sumter County August 1-4.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated water should not be used for irrigation, domestic purposes or watering livestock for 14 days following treatment. Do not use fish caught from treated areas for… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on Lake Okahumpka in Sumter County on March 7-10.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated water should not be used for irrigation, domestic purposes or watering livestock for 14 days following treatment. Do not use fish caught from treated areas… Read more

For the past 60 years, the District has worked to protect water resources and ensure the public’s water needs are met. But as Florida’s population continues to grow, it will take careful planning and innovative new ideas to ensure the state’s water supply. An estimated 1,000 people move to Florida each day, and Florida will need an additional one billion gallons per day by 2040. The water supply is not endless, so legislators passed the Clean Waterways Act in 2020, which… Read more