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Your Questions Answered November 2020Q: What are seagrasses? A: Seagrasses are flowering plants that colonized the ocean some 70 to 100 million years ago. Seagrasses have leaves, flowers, seeds and roots. Unlike land plants, seagrasses do not have strong stems to hold themselves up. Instead they are supported by the buoyancy of the water surrounding them. Another unique characteristic of… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns June through September at Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota County. Myakka River -… Read more

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… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September at Myakka… Read more

To make sure that we, as well as future generations, can enjoy quality outdoor experiences, each one of us must share the responsibility of protecting our environment. Rule Changes Effective Oct. 1: The Florida Legislature updated the 40D-9.260 Camping rules during the 2021 legislative session. These rule changes governing camping reservations on District lands will go into effect starting Oct. 1, 2021.… Read more

Nine new Governing and Basin Board members from throughout the District recently attended an information session aimed at giving them a more in-depth view of the responsibilities of the District’s different departments. Board members were given presentations from the Communications Department, Land Resources Department and Mapping and GIS Section. Patsy Symons, who is also a Governing Board member, and Kathleen “Kathy” Hoy Edgemon serve on the Peace River Basin Board… Read more

Your Questions Answered July 2021 Floridians use nearly 6.4 billion gallons of water per day. With an estimated 1,000 people moving to the state daily, residents are projected to use an additional 1 billion gallons per day by 2040. That’s why exploring potable reuse, or recycled water, is one way we can help ensure there is plenty of water to meet the demand. Southwest Florida Water Management District Water Supply Manager Jay Hoecker outlines… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through March at Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns now through December at Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota… Read more

Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director David L. Moore this week issued an emergency order authorizing Hernando County to pump water to relieve flooding in the Lakewood subdivision.The property of approximately 30 Lakewood residents remains flooded. The subdivision is located near the northeast corner of Hernando County, north of the Withlacoochee River and adjacent to Lakes Geneva, Elizabeth and Frances. The property was flooded after the rains… Read more

A project aimed at restoring the Weeki Wachee headsprings and river is moving into its second phase.The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s project involves removing sediment and re-planting native aquatic plants to improve the water quality and habitat within the headsprings and river.The Weeki Wachee headspring and the upper reaches of the river have an accumulation of sand, silt, muck and litter in the headspring, which also spreads downstream. Excessive… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns October through December at Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota County. Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River -… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns in July and August at Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe Tract in Sarasota County. Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and Myakka River - Schewe… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the… Read more

Governor Charlie Crist recently reappointed several members to five of the eight Basin Boards of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The governor also appointed a new Basin Board member to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board.Manasota Basin Board:Betsy Benac of Sarasota has been reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. She is a land planner with Wilson Miller, Inc. Her term ends March 1, 2010.Jack Bispham of Sarasota has been reappointed to… Read more

Starkey Trail Extension  Left: Bike riders eagerly await the opening of the Starkey Trail extension. Right: Taking part in the trail’s ribbon-cutting ceremony are: Jon Kennedy, Tampa Bay Water; Judy Whitehead, Governing Board Secretary and Coastal Rivers Basin Board Chair; Joanne Hurley, PBS&J; Kathryn Starkey, Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board; and Peter Altman, former Pasco County Commissioner. Representatives from Pasco County and the District… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency last year. That’s why the… Read more