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With more than 70 springs, Crystal River/Kings Bay is the largest natural winter refuge for manatees on the Florida Gulf Coast. About the SpringsCrystal River/Kings Bay is a first-magnitude spring system that originates in Citrus County. Kings Bay is a 600-acre bay at the headwaters of the Crystal River, which is a… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Dunnellon City Hall, located at 20750 River Drive in Dunnellon. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum flow for the Rainbow River System in Marion County. The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District. A minimum flow or… Read more

The District is evaluating the established strategy needed to recover minimum flows adopted for the Lower Hillsborough River. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. OverviewMinimum flows are limits established by the District’s Governing Board for surface watercourses that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may… Read more

March 2023 Q: Why is it important to use best practices when visiting rivers and springs? A:  The District has found direct links between river recreational use and environmental damage. For example, visitors leaving kayaks while on the river have trampled vegetation and eroded riverbanks and sand point bars. Also, numerous trees have been damaged from climbing and rope swinging. Over time, these actions can have negative long-term… Read more

Project OverviewIt removed accumulated sediments from targeted areas of the river to re-establish historic river depths where these sediments had covered natural habitats. Sedimentation alters the river channel structure, reducing passage for manatees and other animals. It can also smother beneficial submerged aquatic vegetation and other important habitats.  Accumulated sediments were removed using hand-dredging, which includes divers vacuuming sediments… Read more

March 2024Q:  What is a spring?A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many… Read more

This reclaimed water project reduces groundwater pumping and wastewater nutrient loading in the Crystal River/Kings Bay springshed. Project Overview The project provides highly treated wastewater, known as reclaimed water, from the City of Crystal River to the Duke Energy power plant in Citrus County. Infrastructure was built to transport all reclaimed water from the City of Crystal River’s wastewater sprayfield to the Duke Energy power generation complex, located west… Read more

Florida law requires establishment of minimum flows and levels of water bodies to prevent significant harm associated with water withdrawals.Program overviewFlorida law (Chapter 373.042, Florida Statutes) requires the state water management… Read more

There are more than 200 documented springs throughout the District. However, most individual springs cluster around 16 groups of springs, five of which are classified as first-magnitude groups based on the amount of water they discharge. While recognizing the need to manage all springs, the District places a priority on the five first-magnitude spring groups: Rainbow, Crystal River/Kings Bay, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weeki Wachee. These spring groups, located in… Read more

The District is reevaluating the established minimum flow for the Homosassa river/spring system. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Overview Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District Governing Board for surface waters and groundwater that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by water… Read more

The District is reevaluating the established minimum flow for the Chassahowitzka river/spring system. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Overview Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District Governing Board for surface waters and groundwater that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by… Read more

What springs are located within our District? There are more than 200 springs within the District. There are five first-magnitude spring groups in the District. First-magnitude springs, which are the largest springs by volume of water discharged, release 64.6 million gallons per day or more. The five springs are: Rainbow River, Crystal River/Kings Bay, Homosassa River, Chassahowitzka River and Weeki Wachee River. Together, they discharge more than one… Read more

April 2023 Q:  What is a spring? A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as… Read more

 Highlights

• Largest natural lake in Hillsborough County with a surface area of greater than 800 acres
• Popular for recreational use as it is one of the few natural lakes in the area with public access
• Discharges into the Hillsborough River which is used for municipal water supply for the City of Tampa

ChallengesFour main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed:

• Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme…

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Your Questions Answered  April 2022 Q:  What is a spring? A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an… Read more

What are minimum flows and minimum water levels (MFLs)?In short, an MFL sets a limit on how much water can be withdrawn from various water resources to prevent significant harm occurring to those resources or the ecology of the area.What does “significant harm” mean?The Florida legislature did not define the term ‘significant harm.’ However, the District has developed criteria for significant harm to various types of water resources. The… Read more

The Lake Hancock projects are a critical part of meeting minimum flows in the upper Peace River, improving water quality in the river and protecting Charlotte Harbor. Property  Lake Hancock is a 4,500-acre lake in the headwaters of the Peace River. From Lake Hancock, the … Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently amended an agreement with the City of Safety Harbor to move forward on a project that will reduce erosion near the Rainbow Farms subdivision.Rainbow Farms is located within the Bishop Creek Watershed. The goal of this project is to stabilize Bishop Creek to prevent further erosion. In the past 25 years the creek has eroded beyond the established easement and is encroaching onto the adjoining residential properties.… Read more