Search Content

Your Questions Answered February 2019 Q:  Is there a rainy season and dry season in central Florida? A:  Yes, rainfall is seasonal. Our rainy season is a four-month period from June through September, with average rainfall of about 7.8 inches each month. About 60 percent of our average annual rainfall is received during that time. The higher rainfall results in rising water levels in wells, lakes, rivers and springs… Read more

Gov. Charlie Crist on March 22 appointed Richard Matassa and Fritz Musselmann to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Coastal Rivers Basin Board(Coastal Rivers Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/coastal.php.Matassa is from Spring Hill in Hernando County. He is the managing director of A Civil Design Group, and was appointed to succeed Elaine Perry. His term ends March 1, 2012. Musselmann is from Spring Hill in Pasco County. He was the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) may need to activate the Tampa Bypass Canal system in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area. Boat barriers were put in place where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River, restricting navigation in that area. The Hillsborough River is nearing an elevation of 25 feet above sea level, which triggers the Army Corps of Engineers activation level of the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention (LHFDA) area. This involves… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has reopened the Flying Eagle Dead River Flats airboat slide after completing required maintenance. The airboat slide is located on the Flying Eagle berm between the Withlacoochee River and Flying Eagle Marsh in eastern Citrus County.

At its June 11 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.1885 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Coastal Rivers Basin Board covers portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the county property appraisers, will result in an estimated 11.62 percent… Read more

At its July 26 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2008 (FY2008) millage rate of 0.2547 mill, which is .0303 less than the current fiscal year. This reduction is in accordance with the tax reduction mandated by the Florida Legislature.The FY2008 millage rate has been set equal to 97 percent of the rolled-back rate in compliance with House Bill 1B, the tax reform legislation signed into law by… Read more

At its June 14 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2008 (FY2008) millage rate of 0.205 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.Further, in the event that a tax reduction is mandated by the Legislature during its special session later this month, the Basin Board has authorized the executive director to recalculate its millage rate to reflect the change in revenue prescribed by… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows for the upper segment of the Hillsborough River. The Upper Hillsborough River is the portion of the river from Crystal Springs to Morris Bridge Road.A minimum flow or level (MFL) 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… 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

At its August 26 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s newly merged Hillsborough River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.2421 mill. The Hillsborough River Basin Board area covers portions of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.The Hillsborough River and the Northwest Hillsborough Basin were merged effective Jan. 1, 2009. For FY2009, the Hillsborough River Basin Board adopted a millage rate of 0.2547 mill and the… 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

At its July 24 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2008 (FY2008) millage rate of 0.1885 mill, which is .02 less than the current fiscal year. This reduction is in accordance with the tax reduction mandated by the Florida Legislature.The FY2008 millage rate has been set equal to 97 percent of the rolled-back rate in compliance with House Bill 1B, the tax reform legislation signed into law by Gov.… Read more

At its July 24 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2008 (FY2008) millage rate of 0.2308 mill, which is .03 less than the current fiscal year. This reduction is in accordance with the tax reduction mandated by the Florida Legislature.The FY2008 millage rate has been set equal to 97 percent of the rolled-back rate in compliance with House Bill 1B, the tax reform legislation signed into law by Gov.… Read more

At its June 12 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2009 (FY2009) millage rate of 0.2308 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Withlacoochee River Basin Board area covers portions of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Marion, and Levy counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the county property appraisers, will… Read more

At its June 6 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Peace River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2009 (FY2009) millage rate of 0.1827 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Peace River Basin Board area includes Hardee, DeSoto and portions of Polk, Highlands and Charlotte counties.This proposed millage rate combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the five county property appraisers, will result… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on the Braden River during the week of June 7-11.District workers will treat portions of the river south of SR 70.Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations, and post warning signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and water use restrictions. Treated river water… Read more

Governor Charlie Crist recently appointed Kelly S. Rice to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Rice was appointed to succeed Paul M. Mazak. He lives in Webster and is president of the Rice Cattle Company. His term began Feb. 9 and ends March 1, 2011.The Withlacoochee River Basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Pasco, Levy and Sumter counties.The District has seven regional Basin Boards that provide guidance… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is extending a water shortage emergency authorization that allows Tampa Bay Water to withdraw additional water from the Alafia River to continue to fill the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir.As of Sept. 15, the reservoir had about 11.2 billion gallons in storage. When full, the reservoir stores approximately 15 billion gallons of water.The executive order, which was scheduled to expire Sept. 30, has been extended through Dec… Read more

At its June 11 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) millage rate of 0.2308 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Withlacoochee River Basin Board area covers portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.This millage rate, combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the county property appraisers, will… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a kickoff meeting on Tuesday, March 20 at 5 p.m. at the Yankeetown Inglis Women's Club located at 5 56th St. in Yankeetown. The purpose of the meeting is to gather feedback about the upcoming development of the minimum flows for the lower Withlacoochee River.Minimum flows protect rivers, streams and springs from impacts associated with groundwater and surface water withdrawals. They are one tool used by the… Read more