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This November the District will recognize the very best in District-sponsored community and youth water resources education projects at the Partners in Watershed Education ceremony. To select this year’s 32 award-winning projects, District staff reviewed education projects completed through District grant programs by teachers and their students, community members, local governments and nonprofit groups. District-sponsored programs that use volunteers to educate others… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) activated the Tampa Bypass Canal system today in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area overnight. The Hillsborough River has reached an elevation of 25 feet above sea level at Fowler Avenue, which triggers the Army Corps of Engineers activation level of the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention (LHFDA) area. This involves redirecting the flow of the Hillsborough River east of 1-… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ Tuesday adopted its fiscal year 2013-14 (FY2013-14) millage rate and budget.The Governing Board adopted a FY2013-14 millage rate of 0.3818 mill, which is 2.8 percent lower than the current fiscal year. This millage rate is 0.5 percent below the rolled-back millage rate, and will result in a $2.9 million reduction in ad valorem taxes for the District's… Read more

The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA), which is instrumental in preventing flooding from the Hillsborough River in the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa, is continuing to fill with floodwaters due to impacts from Hurricane Milton, resulting in some localized flooding on District-owned lands and Morris Bridge Road.Morris Bridge Road near the Hillsborough River Bridge, Trout Creek Park and Flatwoods Park are closed due to flooding resulting from the use of the HFDA.… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org invites the public to a meeting to gather input on the District's land acquisition, management and recreation programs on public lands purchased by the District.The meeting will be on March 16 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the District's Sarasota Service Office, 6750 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. District staff will make a brief presentation, then open the floor for… Read more

Pat Glass displays a plaque she received in recognition of her public service. With Glass are District Executive Director Dave Moore (right) and representatives from the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority and Charlotte and DeSoto counties. The District’s Governing Board and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) joined together in December to recognize Patricia “Pat” Glass for her… Read more

District employees Don Kaskie and Violet Woodard thought it would be another typical work day.  The vegetation specialists spent a day last month in airboats treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on Upper Myakka Lake. Near the end of their work day, a local canoe rental shop reported that a couple who had rented a boat never returned. With a large storm approaching, Kaskie searched nearly 7 miles of shoreline by airboat while Woodard searched for the couple by… Read more

Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 Activation Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 1 as they continue to monitor Tropical Storm Elsa. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities during an emergency weather event. The District is evaluating potential impacts from the storm that could occur throughout its 16-county region… Read more

Governor Rick Scott appointed Michael A. Moran to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/. Moran fills a vacant seat representing Charlotte and Sarasota Counties.Moran, of Sarasota, is the president of Insurance & Benefits Consultants.Morans's appointment is for a term beginning December 5, 2013 and ending March 1, 2015. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.… Read more

April has been designated Springs Protection Month by the Florida Legislature, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida and Northwest Florida water management districts. Rep. Elizabeth Porter submitted a House Resolution (HB) 9027 that was adopted on March 18, 2015, which recognizes April 2015 as Springs Protection Awareness Month. Sen. Charlie Dean filed a similar resolution in the Senate, Senate… Read more

The Southwest Florida Management District’s Governing Board approved funding Tuesday for a project that evaluates alternatives for reducing flooding and improving water quality within the Christina Watershed.The Christina Watershed, located near Mulberry in western Polk County, is approximately 6 square miles and is part of the headwaters to the North Prong of the Alafia River. This area has experienced recurrent flooding for the past ten years and is also… Read more

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 Activation - All District Offices Closed Thursday AfternoonSouthwest Florida Water Management District officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Hermine and have raised the activation level of the District's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2. The EOC provides direction and controls District activities during an emergency weather event.The District is continuing to monitor potential flooding that could occur throughout our 16-… Read more

The District’s birth was prompted by a hurricane. Its initial mission was to provide flood protection; however, by the end of the decade, the fledgling agency was already maturing to address broad-based water management needs. During the 1960 hurricane season, Hurricane Donna hammered Florida with 128-mph sustained winds and massive flooding. Donna caused storm surges of up to 13 feet in the Florida Keys and 11-foot surges along the southwest coast of Florida. Portions of… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will activate the Tampa Bypass Canal system tonight in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area from Hurricane Hermine. This action will close the Hillsborough River to boaters, and boat barriers will be in place by approximately 8 p.m. The Hillsborough River has reached an elevation of 25 feet above sea level, which triggers the Army Corps of Engineers activation level of the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention… Read more

At its June 9 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Peace River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.195 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The proposed budget for FY2007 is $13,840,581, which is an increase of $519,062 from the approved FY2006 budget. The increase is primarily due to an increase in property values. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007.The Peace River… Read more

Groups and individuals interested in applying for a Southwest Florida Water Management District community education grant are invited to attend a grant advisory session for residents who live in the area represented by the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board. The area includes portions of Pasco, Sumter, Hernando, Citrus, Marion, and Levy counties.The advisory session will be held Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park… Read more

At its June 21 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board adopted a tentative fiscal year 2006 (FY2006) millage rate of 0.235 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The tentative budget for FY2006 is $8,457,750, which represents an increase of $336,746 from the approved FY2005 budget. The increase in the budget is primarily due to an increase in property values and increases in funding from local governments for… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board(Governing Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard on Monday set a March 2, 2010, deadline for well owners to file claims for damage suffered during the Jan. 3-13, 2010 freeze. Most eastern Hillsborough County residents whose wells were damaged when aquifer levels dropped have already called the "District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org to "report their… Read more

The District’s Governing Board, along with the Florida Legislature and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month. There are many actions you can take at home to help protect springs.  A spring only is as healthy as its springshed, which is the area of land that contributes water to a spring. Activities within springsheds impact groundwater, and therefore, affect the water flowing from a spring. Help… Read more

This summer a group of international visitors spent time learning about the District and sharing ideas with District staff. Ed Hobin, outreach projects coordinator for the District and a Rotarian, hosted a group of New Zealanders. Henry Davies, a member of the Wellington North Rotary Club, led the group. Davies is a banker specializing in online services. Accompanying Davies on the tour were a clinical psychologist, a police officer and two hospitality and tourism… Read more