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In recent years the number of people living in the Alafia River watershed has increased dramatically. An increase in population causes a greater demand on water resources and a reduction in the amount of wildlife habitat. Efforts have been made to meet the increased demands for water and to restore and protect natural ecosystems within the watershed. Reservoir The C.W. “Bill” Young Regional Reservoir is located in the Alafia River watershed. It can store 15 billion… Read more

 This project improved water quality in the Weeki Wachee River.Project OverviewThe Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hernando County made enhancements to stormwater management at Rogers Park. The park is owned by the County and located on the Weeki Wachee River. These improvements benefit the river by reducing the amount of sediments and nutrients entering the river. Project DetailsThis project uses Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to… Read more

About Water Quality Both the United States government and Florida have adopted water quality goals and standards. Each water body has its own standards. For example, water used for drinking has to be much cleaner than water used for crop irrigation or to cool machinery in a factory. Scientists use information from water monitoring to determine how a water body rates based on its intended use. If scientists rate water quality as GOOD, then the water can fully support… Read more

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved adding three first-magnitude spring systems — Weeki Wachee River, Chassahowitzka River and Homosassa River — to the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program priority list.  The existing SWIM Program priority list includes two first-magnitude spring systems – Rainbow River and Crystal River/Kings Bay. The DEP approval brings all five of the District’s first-magnitude spring systems onto… Read more

There is no shortage of recreational opportunities in the Alafia River watershed. Get outside to explore the variety of activities at one of the watershed's many parks and preserves.    … Read more

The District’s Governing Board recently voted to begin the process of adding three first-magnitude spring systems — Weeki Wachee River, Chassahowitzka River and Homosassa River — to the Surface Water Improvement Management (SWIM) Program priority list.  The existing SWIM Program priority list includes two first-magnitude spring systems – Rainbow River and Crystal River/Kings Bay. Today’s action initiates bringing all five onto the SWIM Program priority list.… Read more

Homosassa Springs has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s and is now located within a state park that features a fishbowl observatory and manatee rehabilitation. About the SpringsThe Homosassa River is a first-magnitude spring system originating in western Citrus County. Homosassa Springs is at the headwaters of this short, slow moving tidal river, which flows 8 miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of America.Many springs make up the… Read more

As Tropical Depression Fred approaches Florida, the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is monitoring the storm and is expected to activate tomorrow. It is important for staff to stay informed as the storm could potentially impact our region this weekend. We will make every effort to communicate information to employees in the following ways:

• Internal Communications Emails: Employees should monitor their emails for…

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June 2024Q:  What does the District do to prepare for hurricane season?A:  Year-round, the District operates 84 water control structures in its 16-county area. These structures assist with flood protection, manage lake water levels and prevent saltwater from flowing up freshwater streams and creeks. To prepare for hurricane season, staff conduct annual hurricane readiness checks of all the District’s structures to ensure they are… Read more

The Hydrologic Conditions Report provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic analysis. The Hydrologic Conditions Report is generated monthly and provides an analytical summary of regional and temporal variations in the hydrologic conditions for planning and regulatory purposes. In addition, it provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic analysis. Data collected are used by the regulatory,… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is closing navigation on the Hillsborough River at Structure S-155 to meet safety standards.Due to the high velocity of water from recent above-average rainfall, boat barriers will be put in place where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River, restricting navigation in that area. The S-155 structure is part of the Tampa Bypass Canal System and located north of Morris Bridge Road and east of I-75. It can be seen from I-75… Read more

Fresh water from the Peace River watershed is essential to the health of the Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in Florida. The watersheds of the Myakka and Caloosahatchee rivers also feed into the harbor. An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water where fresh water from rivers and streams flows into the ocean. The Charlotte Harbor estuary is 30 miles long by seven miles wide and boasts 219 miles of shoreline.… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ voted today to begin the process of adding three first-magnitude spring systems -- Weeki Wachee River, Chassahowitzka River and Homosassa River -- to the Surface Water Improvement Management (SWIM) Program priority list. The existing SWIM Program priority list includes two first magnitude spring systems – Rainbow River and Crystal River/Kings Bay… Read more

Marion County students at two schools will study the issues surrounding our freshwater resources thanks to "Splash! school grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/schoolgrants/ from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The Marion County awardees are:* Thomas Allison, *Dunnellon Middle*, was awarded $2,390. Students will visit the Withlacoochee and Rainbow rivers to test water quality. Students will learn how human actions affect the flora and fauna on the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is closing navigation on the Hillsborough River at Structure S-155 to meet Federal safety standards.Due to the high velocity of water from Tropical Storm Debby, boat barriers will be put in place where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River, restricting navigation in that area. The S-155 structure is part of the Tampa Bypass Canal System and located north of Morris Bridge Road and east of I-75. It can be seen from I-75… Read more

The beat of central Florida’s hydrologic heart lies between Tampa and Orlando in 560,000 acres of Florida backcountry called the Green Swamp. The Green Swamp includes portions of Polk, Lake, Sumter, Hernando and Pasco counties. Within these acres is a complex, integrated and delicate natural system composed of cypress swamps, hardwood forests, marshes, pine flatwoods and sandhills. Emerging from this precious oasis are the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha and… Read more

The District’s Governing Board, along with the Florida Legislature and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month. There are many actions you can take at home to help protect springs.  A spring only is as healthy as its springshed, which is the area of land that contributes water to a spring. Activities within springsheds impact groundwater, and therefore, affect the water flowing from a spring. Help… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) acquires lands for the conservation and protection of the water and water-related resources, including lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries. These conservation lands serve as natural filters improving water quality, storing and retaining flood waters and helping recharge our aquifers. They also are home to many native plants and animals. The District is required to maintain a balance between public access,… Read more

The District’s Governing Board, along with the Florida Legislature and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month. There are many actions you can take at home to help protect springs.  A spring only is as healthy as its springshed, which is the area of land that contributes water to a spring. Activities within springsheds impact groundwater, and therefore, affect the water flowing from a spring. Help… Read more

Your Questions Answered May 2022 Q:  What does the District do to prepare for hurricane season? A:  Year-round, the District operates 85 water-control structures in its 16-county area. These structures assist with flood protection, manage lake water levels and prevent saltwater from flowing up freshwater streams and creeks. To prepare for hurricane season, staff conduct annual hurricane readiness checks of all the District’s… Read more