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Osprey »
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… Read more
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… Read more
Glossary »
Aquifer
An aquifer is an area underground that holds water in the gaps between rock, sand or gravel, sort of like an underground lake or stream.
Aquitard
An aquitard is an underground layer that water can’t move through easily. An aquitard, which might be something like solid rock or fine clay, can trap water in separate aquifers or force it to move in different directions.
Condensation
Water changing from a gas into a liquid — this is how water vapor turns… Read more
Water Quality DataWater quality data are categorized under two major resource types — groundwater and surface water.Groundwater Quality Data provide information on existing groundwater quality conditions and water quality trends within the District’s groundwater resources, including springs. They also improve the District’s understanding of groundwater quality concerns, support development of watershed management priorities and plans, and… Read more
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… Read more
The Tampa Bay Planning Region encompasses approximately 2,120 square miles, covering all of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. It is the most urbanized area in the Southwest Florida Water Management District, although land-use types range from urban/built-up areas such as the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg to predominantly agricultural land uses in the inland portions of Hillsborough and Pasco counties and phosphate mining in southeastern… Read more
Canoeing »
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System in response to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.The Hillsborough River has reached the activation criteria and the District has closed Structure S-155 as of 6 p.m. tonight. The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) is now considered activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with… Read more
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… Read more
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,… Read more
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… Read more
Southwest Florida Water Management District
- Springs in West-Central Florida
- Recreation on District Land
- Lower Floridan Aquifer Exploration
- Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs)
- …
Left: Rob Goding, Wal-Mart regional market manager; Shelley Bailey, Palm Harbor Wal-Mart store manager; Robert B. Stewart, Pinellas County commissioner; Liz Warren, Pinellas County assistant county administrator; Steve Spratt, Pinellas County administrator; Sallie Parks and Todd Pressman, co-chairs ex officio of the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board; and Will Davis, Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management director, participated in the grand opening of the… Read more
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,… Read more
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… Read more
Small portion of debris removed from area sinkholes.
The 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 carts, newspaper stands… Read more
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,… Read more