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Lake Panasoffkee »
 Highlights
  • Lake Panasoffkee is the third largest lake (4,820 acres) in west central Florida
  • Designated an Outstanding Florida Water
  • Located in Sumter County
ChallengesThe main challenges facing Lake Panosoffkee stem from substantial groundwater input from the Floridan aquifer. This input has created:
  • Loss of lake area due to sedimentation
  • Loss of desirable habitat for fisheries
  • Increased shoreline vegetation and…
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Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration Project »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District, in cooperation with Hillsborough County, completed the largest habitat restoration project ever done in the history of Tampa Bay.Project BackgroundSince 2009, the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program has been working to design and construct the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. This project is a cooperative effort between SWIM and the Hillsborough County… Read more
Sarasota Bay »
 Highlights
  • Designated an “Estuary of National Significance” in 1987
  • Surface area of approximately 52 square miles
  • Includes Manatee and Sarasota counties
  • 150-square-mile watershed
ChallengesThree main challenges exist in the Sarasota Bay watershed:
  • Alteration and loss of coastal uplands and wetlands due to development
  • Spread of non-native animal and plant species
  • Degraded water quality from non-point source…
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Charlotte Harbor »
 Highlights
  • Charlotte Harbor is Florida's second largest open water estuary at 270 square miles
  • Generally considered one of the most productive estuarine ecosystems in southwest Florida
  • Designated an "Estuary of National Significance" in 1995
  • Includes Charlotte, Lee, and a portion of Sarasota County
  • 4,400-square-mile watershed
ChallengesThree main challenges exist in the Charlotte Harbor watershed:
  • Alteration and…
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Emergency Storm Information »
Latest Information
Representative to view Student Presentation on Springs Protection »
Students at Dunellon Middle School believe “there ought to be a law” to better protect Florida’s springs and their surrounding watersheds.The seventh and eighth-grade students will present their case Thursday morning to Representative Larry Cretul, who represents parts of Marion, Levy and Alachua counties. The presentation will take place at 10 a.m. in the school’s auditorium. Cretul invited students to come up with a proposal they believe should be… Read more
Florida’s Water Management Districts »
The districts administer flood protection programs and perform technical investigations into water resources. They also develop water management plans for water shortages in times of drought, and acquire and manage lands for water management purposes. Delegated regulatory programs include management of the consumptive use of water, aquifer recharge, well construction and surface water management.   Read more
Media Alert: Clean water the focus of Springs Awareness Week »
Citrus and Marion county residents will be treated to clean water events from Ocala to Crystal River during the upcoming Springs Awareness Week. The following events taking place during Springs Awareness Week are aimed at raising awareness about the health of the local springs and what people can do to protect them: h3. March 13–14, Ocala table(webalert). |What:|16th Annual Marion County Master Gardeners' Spring Festival. More than 140 plant-related vendors come together to… Read more
Marion County projects receive Community Education Grants »
Three Marion County projects were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 49 grants Districtwide for a total of $171,444. This is the 10th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to… Read more
Terra Ceia Huber and Frog Creek Restoration Project »
The project will restore and enhance nearly 170 acres of coastal uplands on District lands adjacent to Tampa Bay.Property Information The Terra Ceia Huber and Frog Creek Upland Restoration project is a District Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Initiative to restore and enhance coastal uplands on District lands adjacent to Tampa Bay. The Huber tract, comprised of two parcels bisected by the southern I-275 approach to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, is… Read more
Governing Board Recognizes 2015 Springs Community Partners »
The Governing Board declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month at today’s Governing Board meeting. The move is part of the District’s ongoing effort to restore and protect area springs and encourage community involvement. The Governing Board also recognized some of its springs community partners. They are:
  • Alys Brockway – She organized the Hernando County Groundwater Guardian Committee since 2002. The group helps educate the public about the…
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Tours Help Illustrate District’s Responsibilities »
From left: Lake Panasoffkee, Rainbow River, Clam Bayou and Tampa Bypass Canal During the spring, the District has experienced an influx of new Governing Board members. This change in leadership has led to the need for informational tours throughout the District. “Board members can read about a project or a water resource, but actually getting out to see a particular site to learn about it and ask questions of our staff gives our Board members a better… Read more
Residents Learn to Guard the Health of Springs During Awareness Week »
Top: Volunteers install aquatic plants at Dunnellon’s Blue Run Park. Second from top: Master Gardeners Chet Olshewsky, left, and JoEllen Allen staff an Ask-An-Expert Booth in Inverness. Third from top: Boy Scouts from Troop 452 mark storm drains in Dunnellon. Fourth from top: Water Quality Monitoring Program staff lead a tour of Kings Bay. Bottom: Dave DeWitt, District senior geologist/engineer, center, takes a tour group into Dames Caves. Educational events held… Read more
Tampa Bay »
  Highlights
  • Designated an “Estuary of National Significance” in 1990
  • Florida’s largest open-water estuary at 373 square miles
  • Over 2.7 million residents in the watershed
  • Includes portions of Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties
  • 2,200-square-mile watershed
GoalsWater Quality Goals
  • Update nutrient reduction goals for each bay segment using a revised seagrass-nutrient management paradigm…
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Springs Festival to feature speakers »
Guest speakers and songs will be featured at the 6th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, which is being held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver River State Park.A variety of experts will speak about Florida’s springs and springs protection during the festival, including Chris Zajac, an environmental scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Zajac will talk about the District’s projects on the Rainbow River. Other… Read more
Marion County to benefit from three Community Education Grants »
Three Marion County projects expected to reach up to 11,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources. This year the District awarded "35 grants Districtwide(2010 Community Education Grant Projects)":http://www.swfwmd.state.… Read more
Recreation in the Green Swamp »
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is cherished for its exquisite scenic beauty and is an ideal place to experience natural Florida. Be sure to check out the District’s Recreation website to learn more and plan your visit to the Green Swamp.   Footpaths and trails abound in the Preserve for extensive hiking and the Florida National Scenic Trail bisects the area. Trails for… Read more
Protecting Three Sisters Springs »
Join us in the community effort to protect Three Sisters Springs.  Three Sisters Springs is great place to experience natural Florida. It is a preferred refuge of wintering manatees during cold temperatures. It’s also a popular spot for humans to swim and kayak. But increased recreational activities have caused negative environmental impacts on the springs.… Read more