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Program OverviewFlorida-Friendly Landscaping™ is a set of nine guiding principles which help protect natural resources and preserve Florida’s unique beauty. A Florida-friendly landscape is beautiful yet saves water and protects the environment too. The University of Florida’s Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) Program provides science-based education on how to create a…
Septic tanks contribute up to 40% of the current nitrogen pollution in the District's five first-magnitude springs. If you have a septic system, it’s important to have the system inspected regularly and maintained as necessary.How do septic tanks impact springs?Wastewater from traditional or damaged septic tanks can leach into the ground, causing nitrates to enter the aquifer. When this happens, the nitrates eventually reach the spring, which results in…
The sandy coastal beaches of the Gulf of America attract many vacationing visitors. As part of these coastal beaches, the Southern Coastal watershed stretches 60 miles along the southern part of central Florida’s gulf coast. Visitors to the watershed will encounter the culture of Sarasota’s art community, the shark teeth-covered beaches of Venice and the fish-filled waters of Charlotte Harbor. In between these locations are some of Florida’s most productive estuaries,…
The District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains at Level 2 activation and EOC staff continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Debby. All District offices are scheduled to be open Monday, Aug. 5.Please contact your supervisor if you are unable to work due to an extenuating circumstance from the storm.Staff should exercise caution for downed trees and power lines or localized flooding and follow any road closures. Always avoid driving through waters of unknown depth.…
When Governor Charlie Crist announced his Green Initiative this summer during the climate change summit in Miami, the District’s managers heard him loud and clear.
“The District is already a leader in water conservation,” said David Moore, District executive director. “Incorporating energy-efficient practices into the District’s day-to-day operations makes sense and fits into our focus on sustainable growth and environmental responsibility.”
The District’s goal is…
The Floridan Aquifer System: A Vital Water SourceDid you know that the Floridan aquifer system stretches over 100,000 square miles and reaches into parts of Alabama, Georgia, and even South Carolina? The upper Floridan aquifer contains about one-fifth the amount of water in all the Great Lakes and is the main source of drinking water for northern and central Florida.What is an Aquifer?An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or…
Frank Gargano was appointed ombudsman of the Southwest Florida Water Management District in November 2023. Gargano responds to public inquiries about District policies and practices. He provides information, answers questions and facilitates dispute resolution when issues arise between the public and staff. Gargano has more than 25 years of experience. Gargano earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science and policy from the University of South Florida. Gargano…
This information is here to assist grantees during grant implementation.
- Grantees will complete and submit this Final Documentation and Report before May 8, 2026:
- Sample pre-posttest questions by topic - Use our collection of sample questions by topic to create a pre-posttest…
Visitors to the District’s headquarters and service offices are greeted by Florida-friendly landscaping, thanks to the work of proactive staff at each office.
Several of the tradesworkers who help maintain the landscaping have taken additional training to learn about Florida-friendly landscaping™ practices, including plant selection and fertilizer ordinances. In addition, the staff also works with Extension agents and other experts when they have a question.
“The…
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offers this page as a means of providing our partners and cooperators our logotype and seal.We’ve organized files based on the file formats typically preferred by home/office software and professional graphics software. Please contact our webmaster for…
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…
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) ombudsman responds to public inquiries about District policies and practices. When issues arise between the public and the District, the ombudsman acts independently of the District to assist the public by:
- Providing information
- Answering questions
- Facilitating dispute resolutions
- Investigating concerns
- Maintaining confidentiality
Spend a day with your family and friends in the great outdoors. Many District properties offer picnic facilities.Check the individual property for specific information about picnicking on that tract and the level of amenities provided.In addition, the District has three spacious and modern pavilions available for your next large group picnic. Make a reservation below:While enjoying the picnic facilities, please follow all rules outlined in the…
The Withlacoochee River is one of Florida’s wondrous waterways, one of the few rivers in the world flowing south to north. It is 160 miles long, starting in the Green Swamp and winding through eight different counties before discharging into the Gulf of America.The name Withlacoochee is derived from a Creek Indian word meaning Little Big Water, a likely description of the high and low fluctuations the river naturally experiences.As you travel…
Lemon Bay extends about 13 miles long and is separated from the Gulf of America by Little Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key. It is designated by the State of Florida as an aquatic preserve and an Outstanding Florida Waterway among other recognitions. The Lemon Bay area is bustling with live creatures, such as eagles, pinfish, pelicans,…
Privacy Policy Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to any Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) email address. Instead, contact this office…
Choosing a career at the District means joining a mission‑driven team protecting Florida’s water resources while thriving in a supportive, people‑first culture. You’ll enjoy standout benefits with top‑tier insurance, retirement plans, and a wellness program that supports a healthy workforce and work culture. The District is a place to build a meaningful career you can be proud of with opportunities to grow and flexible remote or hybrid schedules for eligible roles. Discover…
A tributary is a small stream or river that flows into a larger one. The Peace River is fed by many tributaries.Saddle CreekIn the northern portion of the watershed, Upper Saddle Creek originates in the Green Swamp and flows into Lake Hancock, the largest lake in the watershed. Lower Saddle Creek drains out of Lake Hancock before it meets Peace Creek and forms the Peace River northeast of Bartow. Peace CreekPeace Creek originates near Lake Hamilton and passes…
Sawgrass Lake Park was designed for people interested in observing and learning about nature. The Sawgrass Lake project began in 1972 to provide flood protection to the city of Pinellas Park. A water-control structure was built to facilitate drainage canal improvements and to maintain desirable water level fluctuations in Sawgrass Lake and the surrounding swamp. The District retains responsibility for operating the water-control structure. The lake and swamp system also…