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 A sound is a wide channel linking two large bodies of water or separating an island from the mainland.Gasparilla Sound is east of Gasparilla Island, where the community of Boca Grande is located, and connects to the Charlotte Harbor. Salt marshes, mangrove swamps and salt flats spread along its shores. It receives freshwater runoff through a variety of sources such as Buck, Coral and Whiden creeks and the Catfish Creek Bayou. Gasparilla Island’s first inhabitants… Read more

Bugs really bug some people, so they use nasty chemicals to kill them. Florida-friendly yards use IPM — integrated pest management. That means nasty chemicals are a last resort. What’s IPM? Healthy, native plants are already resistant to pests and don’t need chemicals. If problems do arise, use spot-treatment, rather than covering your whole yard with a pesticide. Remember, too much water or fertilizer can encourage pests. Mowing your lawn too short will weaken… Read more

As bureau chief for the Regulatory Support Bureau, Buddy Wood is responsible for overseeing the Regulatory Business Development, Field Services and Regulatory Support Services sections within the Regulation Division and plays a key role in the District’s regulatory strategy, execution of tactical plans, permitting, compliance and leadership functions.Wood joined the District in 2003 as a student intern and worked progressively through engineering positions in the… Read more

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Americans with Disabilities Act and discrimination in federally funded programs public grievance procedure  The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions, including access to and participation in the District’s programs, services and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation, or would like information as to the… Read more

Land acquisition is the most effective approach to protecting ecologically significant areas. Under District ownership, land can be preserved and protected. Statutory mandates require that the District’s management of such lands ensures a balance between public access, general public recreational purposes, and restoration and protection of their natural state and condition. To preserve and protect the natural features of the Green Swamp, the District and other agencies… Read more

A joint acquisition effort between the District and the state, the preserve consists of various noncontiguous parcels that partially surround the Charlotte Harbor estuary and its major tributaries. All lands are managed as a state park. The preserve is regionally important because it provides protection to the Gasparilla… Read more

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have near- to below-freezing temperatures Saturday morning.The Southwest Florida Water Management District advises residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps before temperatures dip.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops… Read more

Pinellas County residents will soon be participating in an irrigation study aimed at determining the potential irrigation water savings of soil moisture sensors.Residential lawn and landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of a home’s total water use and according to recent research, many Florida homeowners water their lawns too much. One way to prevent over-irrigation is to add a soil moisture sensor to a time clock controlled irrigation system. These… Read more

Red Drum, also known as redfish, spottail, red bass and channel bass, are bronze or copper in color and have one or more black spots at the base of their tails. Many scientists believe that this black spot protects young drum from larger fish by acting as a decoy "eye." The larger fish are more likely to attack the head of the young, vulnerable red drum. The decoy eye fools predators into believing that the red fish's tail is its head. When a predator makes a grab for the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently approved an agreement to help Marion County fund its first irrigation evaluation program.As part of the program, approximately 250 residents may volunteer to participate in this free program. Participants will receive an irrigation system evaluation, site-specific recommendations, installation of a rain sensor or a soil moisture sensor if an operable automatic shutoff device is not present, and Florida-friendly… Read more

Made up of a dozen springs, Chassahowitzka Springs is the headwaters of one of the most ecologically healthy rivers in west-central Florida. About the SpringsThe Chassahowitzka River is a first-magnitude spring system that originates in southwest Citrus County. The river is known for being short and shallow, flowing 5.6 miles from the… Read more

This project restored habitat, including critical manatee habitat, and will help prevent future erosion of sediment into the spring. The Three Sisters Springs Canal Stabilization Project is complete and is helping to reduce erosion and restore habitat.  The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages water access to the springs, which is limited during manatee season from Nov. 15 – April 1. This is to protect manatees seeking refuge in the warm waters of… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 24 at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the… Read more

View Current Openings »Dive in, explore your potential, and commit to a cause that matters — for today and generations to come.     Are you seeking an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals? Want to build a foundation now for a career of substance in your future? Then… Read more

Government & Community Affairs Office Chief As office chief of Government and Community Affairs, Cara Martin oversees the District’s government affairs and growth management/planning responsibilities of the District. Martin and her staff are the main liaisons between the District and local, state and federal government officials, business leaders, and community organizations. The Government and Community Affairs staff review all statutorily required government and… Read more

The District has changed several of its fax numbers. Please refer to the list below for detailed information including service office location, bureau/section, old fax number, new fax number and the effective activation date for each. Site Bureau/Section Fax Number Bartow  Regulation  863-582-4330  Bartow  Field Operations (Kent Property)  863-582-4331  Brooksville… Read more

From the novice to the expert trails, many different types of biking opportunities can be found on District lands. Biking Wilderness Park Off Road Trails System at Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve

• Flatwoods Park
• Morris Bridge…

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The District offers many recreational opportunities for everybody to get outside. The District and its partners provides recreational opportunities for the mobility-impaired. Many of the lands listed in this guide have accessible facilities such as paved trails, boardwalks, fishing piers, picnic areas or restrooms that meet the standards established by the ADA. The District also provides opportunities for mobility-impaired fishing and hunting on some… Read more