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A restoration project cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will improve water quality and restore wetlands habitat in the Carrollwood area of Hillsborough County.The North Dale Mabry Highway Stormwater Retrofit and Wetland Restoration Project will restore nearly 11 acres of FDOT-owned property along Waters Avenue, near Sweetwater Creek in Hillsborough County. Nuisance and invasive species…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) announced changes for public access at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County, which adjoins the Weeki Wachee River. The Governing Board recently approved updates to Rule 40D-9.111, Florida Administrative Code, Access to and Closure of District Lands, which outlines public access to District lands. According to the updated rule, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Weekiwachee…

Four Marion County teachers are among the record number of educators who applied for and received Splash! mini-grants through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.This year the District awarded Splash! mini-grants to 209 educators totaling more than $413,000. That’s 72 more grant recipients than last year.Mary Margaret Hull, lead communications coordinator, attributes the increase in awardees to an increase in promotion among the District’s school…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District Staff and approximately 70 childrenWhat:The District’s 10th Annual “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”Students between the ages of 9 and 18 will spend the day at the District Headquarters and Service Offices learning about activities at the District. At 9 a.m. staff will lead the kids through a water resources exercise. After completing the hands-on project, parents/…

table(webalert). |Who:|The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi, University of South Florida Housing and Residential Education Department, Ripply Drop the water drop mascot and Southwest Florida Water Management District staff.||*What:*|The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi will receive a water conservation trophy at a breakfast ceremony at the sorority house. The sorority won a competition to collect the most pledges to save water as part of the Every Drop Counts! water conservation…

table(webalert). |Who:|The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi, University of South Florida Housing and Residential Education Department, Ripply Drop the water drop mascot and Southwest Florida Water Management District staff.||*What:*|The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi will receive a water conservation trophy at a breakfast ceremony at the sorority house. The sorority won a competition to collect the most pledges to save water as part of the Every Drop Counts! water conservation…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will close all District-managed campgrounds and properties to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane MiltonFor the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at …

Water resources education is hitting the road. The Crystal Springs Foundation recently unveiled WaterVentures, Florida’s Learning Lab. The traveling lab is a science center housed in a customized 53-foot semi-trailer that will tour elementary schools throughout the state. The vehicle features hands-on activities about Florida’s water and how to protect it. The exhibits touch on topics like aquifers and the natural filtration of spring water. The traveling lab is…

  H. Paul Senft Jr., Governing Board Chair This edition of WaterMatters Magazine celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Created in 1961 through legislative action to serve as the local sponsor for a series of federal flood control projects, the District’s responsibilities have grown dramatically over time. Recognizing that our water resources — our coasts, rivers,…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is seeking public input about the order in which "minimum flows and levels (MFLs)":/projects/mfl/ for lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month during their March meeting. In support of the Florida Legislature’s adopted resolution declaring April 2020 as Springs Protection Awareness Month, the Governing Board also emphasized that springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state. The District, in partnership with various stakeholders, is committed to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Brooksville and Tampa offices will be on a two-hour delay opening due to Hurricane Hermine. The Bartow and Sarasota offices will open at their regular times.All staff should check the emergency hotline after 8 a.m. Friday morning for the latest updates.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will recognize REAL Building's Darren Brinkley for earning a Florida Water Star GoldSM (FWSG) certification on a home in northeast St. Petersburg where he and his family now live. Susan Douglas, FWSG program coordinator, will present a plaque to Brinkley on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. at the home.FWSG is a voluntary certification program for builders. It encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum lake levels for Lake Panasoffkee, Lake Deaton, Lake Okahumpka, Lake Miona, Black Lake and Big Gant Lake in Sumter County.Minimum lake levels are established to protect lakes from significant harm due to water withdrawals from a lake or the groundwater system. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum levels for Citrus County lakes.A public workshop will be held to discuss proposed levels for Fort Cooper Lake and the Floral City, Hernando and Inverness Pools of Tsala Apopka Lake in Citrus County. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Citrus County Auditorium, 3610 South Florida Avenue (U.S. Highway 41), Inverness. The meeting, which is being held in cooperation…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum lake levels for Lake Panasoffkee, Lake Deaton, Lake Okahumpka, Lake Miona and Big Gant Lake in Sumter County.Minimum lake levels are established to protect lakes from significant harm due to water withdrawals from a lake or the groundwater system. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board approved minimum and guidance levels for six lakes in Pasco County.A minimum level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s natural systems.Guidance levels are used to describe expected…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract, which is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, will be reserved Nov. 17-19 to allow disabled hunters the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. The property will be closed to the public during this time.The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract’s Polk County entrance is at the intersection of Rockridge Road and Deen Still Road.The hunt is a joint effort between the District and the…

The Governing Board appointed Brian Armstrong as executive director at today’s monthly Board meeting. Robert Beltran, who announced his resignation earlier this month, will stay on temporarily to assist in the transition. Beltran was appointed to serve as the District’s executive director in September 2013, and is returning to the private sector. “I’m truly humbled that I have the opportunity to lead such a talented staff,” Armstrong said. Armstrong returned to the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, May 20 at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North. To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live…