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Taking a trip to one of the Sunshine State's beautiful springs soon? If so, you may see a popular “sunny” fish while you're there. Almost 40 percent of all fish found in the Rainbow River System were the Spotted Sunfish, according to a recent paper published in the scientific journal, Florida Scientist, and written by District's Kym Holzwart a senior environmental scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The District contracted with the Florida… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), along with other local and state partners, launched the Weeki Wachee River Education Campaign to inform river visitors about the recreational best management practices that will help protect the river and reduce ecological impacts. A recent ecologically based study found direct links between recreational use on the river and environmental damage. For example, visitors leaving kayaks while on the… Read more

Guest speakers and songs will be featured at the 6th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, which is being held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver River State Park.A variety of experts will speak about Florida’s springs and springs protection during the festival, including Chris Zajac, an environmental scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Zajac will talk about the District’s projects on the Rainbow River. Other… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a virtual public meeting at 4 p.m., Thursday, July 25, to discuss updates to the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Land Management Plan.The District adopts land management plans to ensure its public conservation lands are being managed in ways that are consistent with Florida Statutes and the District’s mission. District lands are acquired to preserve and protect water resources and natural systems while… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday declared April “Water Conservation Month.”By proclaiming April to be Water Conservation Month, the District joined the state Legislature, Tampa Bay Water and dozens of local governments in an effort to call attention to the need for water conservation.Because April is part of Florida’s dry season, it is a good time to focus on water and how we can conserve more of what we have… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Hampton Tract, including closed area tracts at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 30 – Feb. 1.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 30 permits for these hunts have been sold.The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract is located at 14301 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland.This activity is one… Read more

John Finnerty, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco, left; Ron Oakley, former District Governing Board chair, center; and Susan Douglas, District Florida Water StarSM (FWS) program coordinator, recently attended the groundbreaking of two Florida Water StarSM homes in Lacoochee. Habitat volunteers built the Lacoochee houses during National Women Build Week in May. These are the first two Habitat homes in Pasco County to be… Read more

Charlotte Post, administrative supervisor, and Tammy Antoine, employee committee chair, presented Debbie Harper with the Shining Star award. Debbie Harper, the most recent shining star recipient, has made contributing to her community a way of life. While raising her two daughters, Harper was involved in numerous organizations such as the Parent Teacher Organization, Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and athletic booster clubs. She… Read more

On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board adopted a $211.7 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2023, including approximately $90.6 million for the Cooperative Funding Initiative and District grants for water resources projects. The budget reflects the District’s commitment to protect Florida’s water resources and to… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board Tuesday approved an agreement with Polk County as part of a plan to protect and preserve thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive land.The District and the county have agreed to jointly acquire the parcel, which is approximately 3,509 acres, for $7.369 million. Polk County will provide $2 million while the District will provide $5.369 million. Funds for the District's portion of the purchase are… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating infestations of hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County March 31 through April 3. The section of the river to be treated is from upstream of KP Hole Park to where the Rainbow River meets the Withlacoochee River.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions.… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating infestations of hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County Feb. 4-7. The treatment area is from the County Road 484 bridge to where the Rainbow River meets the Withlacoochee River.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. Water from the treated section of the river… Read more

Who:Temple Terrace Riverfest event staff, volunteers and the publicWhat:The 7th Annual Temple Terrace Riverfest is an educational event offering families the opportunity to learn about the Hillsborough River and the surrounding environment. The event includes a Canoe Challenge race, hands-on exhibits, local performances and children’s fishing.The Riverfest is part of “Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week,” which is sponsored by the Southwest Florida Water Management… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River Oct. 2-5.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first section is located between County Road 581 and State Road 44 in Citrus and Sumter counties. The second site is located between County Road 48 and the Wysong-Coogler Water Control Structure in Citrus and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River in Marion County July 9-12. Hydrilla infestations will be treated from below the C.R. 484 bridge to the confluence of the Withlacoochee River.Hydrilla will be spot treated with the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Surface water within the treated area should not be used for irrigation or domestic purposes within seven days of treatment. Water use restrictions do not apply to… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River Aug. 7-10.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first site is located between County Road 581 and State Road 200 in Citrus and Sumter counties. The second site is located between County Road 48 and the Wysong-Coogler Water Control Structure in Citrus and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River July 31 through Aug. 3.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first site is located between State Road 44 and County Road 581 in Citrus and Sumter counties. The second site is located between State Road 41 and State Road 200 in Citrus, Marion and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Alston Tract at Upper Hillsborough Preserve in Pasco County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 7-9.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 11 permits for these hunts have been sold.Alston Tract is located at 42144 Deems Road in Zephyrhills.This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River July 10-13. Infestations of water lettuce along the river in Marion County will be treated.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. River water should not be used for irrigation or domestic purposes for seven days following treatment.… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinths and water lettuce on portions of the Withlaccochee River June 20-23.Two sections of the river will be treated. The first site is located between State Road 41 and State Road 200 in Citrus and Marion counties. The second site is located between State Road 44 and the Wysong Coogler Adjustable Water Conservation Structure in Citrus and Sumter counties.Treatment involves the spot application of the… Read more