Search Content

The osprey, or sea eagle, is a large bird of prey that is commonly seen circling above lakes, rivers, streams and ponds, or perched on dead trees (also known as "snags") or telephone poles. It is almost the size of an eagle and is dark brown with a white head and a brown mask from the eyes down to the cheeks. It also has a white and brown breast and underside. The osprey has large talons that allow it to "fish" by diving down and gripping onto fish. Additionally, the…

More than 90 tons of debris removed from area sinkholesThe Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a three-year project to improve water quality in the District’s springs by removing debris from sinkholes and areas with high aquifer permeability.Over the three-year period, 90.77 tons of debris were removed from 18 sinkholes and other karst features in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Some of the items removed from the sinkholes included shopping…

The Withlacoochee River is forecast to reach major flood stage in response to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton. The storm brought significant amounts of rain especially to the headwaters of the Withlacoochee River. Some areas of the Green Swamp received close to 16 inches of rain overnight Wednesday. The flooding is expected to reach higher levels than what was seen in Hurricane Irma (2017) and the 2004 hurricanes. Click here to see updates on how specific areas will be…

How do I know if the structure on the waterbody I live near is open or closed?The District has an interactive water control structure map online that the public can view. When using the map, click on the yellow circle to see the data for that structure. Gate status and water levels are updated hourly for each water control structure location.Do all District…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board recently approved plans to move forward on a restoration project with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to improve water quality in the Palm River.Palm River is located near the Tampa Bypass Canal in central Hillsborough County. The canal stretches from north of Tampa where the Hillsborough River crosses I-75 to McKay Bay. During the canal’s construction in the 1960s, an underwater…

h2. Project Will Improve Water Quality and Restore HabitatWork is under way to restore habitat and repair erosion along the banks of the Palm River in Tampa.The Palm River is part of the Tampa Bypass Canal, and flows from the District's S-160 Flood Control Structure, located just north of the Selmon Expressway, to the mouth of McKay Bay. During the construction of the Tampa Bypass Canal in the 1960s, the Palm River required significant dredging. In the 1970s, areas of…

Explore the deepest wildlands of a Florida blackwater cypress swamp, or float down the crystal clear waters of a pristine spring-fed stream. District lands preserve hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline along many of the beautiful rivers and lakes in the region. Whether it is a great blue heron stalking its prey, an alligator sunning on a log or a deer getting a drink from the cool, clear waters of a spring-fed river, there are endless opportunities to view wildlife in…

The Weeki Wachee Springs Restoration Project improved water quality and enhanced the overall natural system. Project Overview The Southwest Florida Water Management District restored portions of Weeki Wachee Springs in 2009 to improve water quality in the headspring and the upper river, as well as enhance the overall natural system. Background The Weeki Wachee Restoration Project was the second project aimed at cleaning up the springs.  The first project…

6000 B.C.While archaeologists report evidence of human activity in the Green Swamp dating back to as early as 6000 B.C., permanent ancient human settlements have never been discovered. However, it has always been home to an abundance of plant and animal life, making it attractive for human use. The land was used by ancient peoples for hunting and food gathering, as well as collecting material to make weapons.1513-1542 A.D. Hernando de Soto explored the area  …

 In 1539, the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto made his first New World landfall at the mouth of the Manatee River, where the fresh water of the river flows into the salt waters of Tampa Bay.Imagine the Spaniard’s amazement when he saw the giant wading birds and tangles of mangroves bordering the Manatee River. Braving the mosquitoes, no-see-’ums and snakes, de Soto and his army set up a campsite near a lush mangrove swamp, which visitors can still see today as…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has reopened the Hillsborough River to boat traffic, east of the I-75 overpass. The river was closed on Monday, due to rising waters associated with Hurricane Hermine. The District anticipated activating the Tampa Bypass Canal system Monday night in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area from Hurricane Hermine, however, the Hillsborough River has not reached an elevation of 25 feet above sea level, which…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinths and water lettuce on portions of the Braden River Oct. 17-20. The sites are located south of State Road 70 in Manatee County.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. Restrictions on Reward include no livestock watering for one day,…

Southwest Florida Water Management District

• Springs in West-Central Florida
• Recreation on District Land
• Lower Floridan Aquifer Exploration
• Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs)

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

• …

Your Questions Answered May 2019 The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is preparing for a heightened risk of severe rain events, flooding and storm damage.  Jerry Mallams, Operations & Land Management Bureau Chief, explains how the District works to prepare for the storm season by minimizing flood risks throughout the 16-county region. Q:  What…

  District staff and City of Tampa officials recently celebrated the opening of the Sulphur Springs Weir and Pumping Station. Engines hummed and water gushed marking the completion of a joint project and the beginning of new life for the lower Hillsborough River. District staff and City of Tampa officials recently celebrated the opening of the Sulphur Springs Weir and Pumping Station. The joint venture between the agencies began in 2007 when a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is contributing $36,392 to continue to fund the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance to help preserve and protect the Hillsborough River Watershed.The alliance, formerly known as the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, is a collaborative public-private partnership whose mission is to preserve and protect the natural resources of the Hillsborough River watershed through coalition building, education, research,…

 The Peace River watershed is home to an extraordinary assortment of plants and animals. Some are common; some are extremely rare.Coreopsis, the state wildflower, is widespread. Its delicate yellow blooms brighten the riverbanks year-round. The riverbanks are also lined with palmettos, cypress, water locust, sweet gum, cabbage palm and live oak. Some of the trees have dark, muddy skirts. These are the high-water marks of the seasonal floods. Nearing the estuary, red,…

The Weekiwachee Preserve is an area of protected land owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). Covering over 11,200 acres, the preserve is in Hernando County. It provides a wide array of wildlife habitats, including several miles along the Weeki Wachee River, portions of the Mud River, dense hardwood swamps, freshwater and saltwater marshes and pine-…

A pirate obsessed with water resources will be looking for a few good “mateys” at World Rivers Day Fest, Saturday Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.Captain Brackish will talk to his new friends about his three main water concerns – conservation, pollution and monitoring.Water monitoring is one of the key topics at World Rivers Day.The first 200 attendees will receive water friendly care packages…