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An efficient irrigation system is designed to deliver the appropriate amount of water to match the needs of turfgrass and plant beds. Irrigation ZonesAn in-ground irrigation system typically waters the landscape in sections instead of all at once. These different sections are referred to as “irrigation zones.” Properly designed irrigation zones are important for three key reasons:

1. Not all plants within the landscape need the same amount of water.
2. …

 KarstMuch of Florida’s landscape is composed of “karst” landforms. Karst terrain is a land surface produced when bedrock — mostly limestone in Florida — dissolves slowly over time as acidic rainwater passes through it. Karst terrain provides a direct connection between surface waters and groundwater and is characterized by springs, sinkholes and caverns.Springs Springs are a common feature of karst topography. They also serve as key tributaries of the…

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…

District staff celebrated many accomplishments in 2012 and continued to serve the community by carrying out the core mission. After decades of collaboration and work with other cities, agencies and community partners, several restoration projects were completed in 2012. Projects like those at Cockroach Bay and Clam Bayou improved water quality and restored sensitive habitats. Mother Nature packed a wallop in 2012, bringing the threat of two tropical storms. Staff…

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.…

At its June 13 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.285 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The proposed budget for FY2007 is $18,453,013, which is an increase of $2,577,458 from the approved FY2006 budget. The increase is primarily due to proceeds from the sale of surplus land. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.…

At today’s meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.285 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The budget for FY2007 is $21,078,998, which is an increase of $5,203,443 from the approved FY2006 budget. The increase is primarily due to proceeds from the sale of surplus land and increased property values. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through…

As assistant executive director, Mandi Rice oversees the day-to-day operations of the District’s five divisions: Resource Management, Regulation, Business & IT Services, Employee, Outreach & General Services, and Operations, Lands & Resource Monitoring.Before joining the District, Rice worked at Tampa Bay Water, Florida’s largest wholesale water supplier, for 18 years in various positions including project manager, senior manager of construction and, most…

Drilling more than half a mile below ground to find new sources of water in the Lower Florida aquifer (LFA). Finding new ways to reuse reclaimed water. Combining stormwater and reclaimed water to build a sustainable supply. These are some of the innovative projects the Central Florida Water Initiative is developing to meet the growing water needs of the five-county Central…

 Peace River Challenges and RestorationNatural factors, such as the geology of the region and rainfall, contribute to the amount of water recharging the Upper Floridan aquifer and surface water bodies in the area as do human influences, such as groundwater use. There have also been substantial changes to the Peace River watershed over the past 150-200 years, including the clearing, draining and re-contouring of lands for phosphate mining, agriculture and urban…

The Springs Coast Watershed features one of the largest and most spectacular expanses of salt and brackish marshes found in Florida. Four of the five springs groups in the watershed discharge directly into the Gulf of America in a region that is the second largest seagrass area in the continental United States. With an estimated 700,000 acres — the size of more than 530,000 football fields — the Springs Coast seagrass area is one of the largest seagrass areas in the world.As…

Seek the Leak Did you know that even a small leak can waste 300 or more gallons of water per month? Check for the following leaks outdoors: Water Faucets, Hoses and Connectors Check all faucets, hoses and connectors periodically for leaks and to make sure they are in good working order. Make sure faucets are closed when not in use. If you do find a leaky faucet, change the washer — after turning off the shutoff valve. Automatic Lawn and Sprinkling Systems Soft…

Your Questions AnsweredNovember 2021Florida has the largest concentration of springs in the world, with more than 200 springs within the boundaries of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These natural wonders rely on rainfall to replenish their water source, and Dr. Madison Trowbridge explains how the rainy season provides big benefits for Florida’s springs.Q: What is spring flow?A: Spring flow is the amount of water that…

Addressing Drainage Complaints and IssuesAre you experiencing flooding or drainage not caused by a storm event? Confused about which government agency to reach out to for help? Use this reference guide to find out who to contact. Contact the Southwest Florida Water Management District for drainage complaints or issues related to:

• Stormwater management systems (i.e. retention ponds, swales, etc.) in District-…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is in the process of developing the 2025 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP). The plan lists projected water demands as well as possible water sources for each region of the District through the year 2045. The draft RWSP is posted on the District webpage. Comments may be submitted virtually thought the webpage.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is in the process of developing the 2025 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP). The plan lists projected water demands as well as possible water sources for each region of the District through the year 2045. The draft RWSP is posted on the District webpage. Comments may be submitted virtually thought the webpage. At the workshop…

Regular irrigation maintenance is important to reduce water waste and help create a healthy environment for your landscape. Look for Broken or Misdirected Sprinkler Heads Sprinkler heads can accidently be knocked during lawn maintenance or from a passerby. Look for these signs of a broken or misdirected sprinkler head.

• Water is shooting into the air or not spraying correctly. 
• Water is pooling around the base of a sprinkler head. 
• …

A group of kayakers armed with gloves and garbage bags launched their vessels from the Clam Bayou Nature Park. The volunteers, led by Kurt Zuelsdorf, were on a mission to collect trash from the mangrove-lined Clam Bayou. Zuelsdorf was able to bring together this eco-minded band of volunteers through a District Community Education Grant he applied for and received this spring. The $3,512 grant was used to pay for the volunteers’ kayak rentals, trash bags and equipment…

As the District’s General Counsel, Chris Tumminia provides advice and counsel to the District’s Governing Board, executive director and District staff regarding matters of law and policy. His primary areas of practice have included civil and administrative litigation, water use permitting, minimum flows and levels, and water supply planning. Tumminia also has represented the District in numerous proceedings before the State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings,…

On a crisp November morning, District staff and members of the Alafia River Basin Board launched four canoes into the Alafia River. The basin includes the southern half of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County. The Basin Board members set out to experience the river — the most important part of the basin — and to talk with some concerned citizens who live along the river. The canoe trip took place along part of the 13-mile portion of the…