Search Content

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Lake Deaton, Lake Okahumpka, Lake Miona and Big Gant Lake in Sumter County.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will temporarily close the Flying Eagle Dead River Flats airboat slide due to required maintenance. The airboat slide is located on the Flying Eagle berm between the Withlacoochee River and Flying Eagle Marsh in eastern Citrus County.Maintenance activities will start April 14 and are scheduled to be completed by April 25. Attempts to use the slide in its current condition could damage airboats.The District operates…

For the seventh year in a row, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board voted to decrease property taxes by adopting a rolled back millage rate of 0.3131 mill for the fiscal year 2018 budget. The millage rate is more than 5.6 percent lower than the current fiscal year adopted millage rate of 0.3317 mill, a savings to taxpayers of $6.7 million.For the owner of a $150,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption, the District tax would be $31…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of Jordan Ranch, a 191-acre parcel of land adjacent to District-owned Two-Mile Prairie State Forest in Citrus County.This important property purchase is within 1,000 feet of the Withlacoochee River and will allow the District to provide enhanced…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board voted to decrease property taxes by adopting a proposed rolled-back millage rate of 0.2043 mill for the fiscal year 2024 budget.The millage rate is 9.6% lower than the current fiscal year adopted millage rate of 0.2260 mill, which will save taxpayers $13.9 million.For the owner of a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has scheduled restoration work on the Orange State Canal located in Citrus County. The work is scheduled to take place from May 16 to June 15. Boat access from the Withlacoochee River through the canal will not be available during the scheduled restoration work. Activity is scheduled to occur during daylight hours between Monday and Friday each week. Restoration work on the Orange State Canal will focus on…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have near to below freezing temperatures Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning.  This has prompted the…

Governor Rick Scott appointed Joel Schleicher and Rebecca Smith to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Schleicher represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties and Smith represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Schleicher, 65, of Sarasota, is the founder and executive chairman of Focal Point Data Risk, LLC. Schleicher received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed for a term beginning May 12, 2017, and…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows for the upper segment of the Hillsborough River. The Upper Hillsborough River is the portion of the river from Crystal Springs to Morris Bridge Road.A minimum flow or level (MFL) is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance…

District prepares for Hurricane FrancesBartow Service Office to closeThe Southwest Florida Water Management District is preparing for the possible landfall of Hurricane Frances in Florida. The Districts Bartow Service Office will be closed on Friday, September 3, 2004, and the Peace River Basin Board meeting, scheduled for Friday, has been cancelled. The meeting has tentatively been rescheduled for Friday, September 10, 2004, at the Districts Bartow Service Office. All…

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants for water-quality enhancement projects in Citrus County to protect the health of Kings Bay and Crystal River’s unique spring-fed systems comprised of more than 70 freshwater springs throughout a 600-acre bay.  “We are pleased to provide springs funding for projects that will help restore and protect these important waterways,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “This…

The Florida Senate has confirmed the appointments of seven Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board members.

• Bryan K. Beswick represents DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties and his term ends March 1, 2020.
• John Henslick represents Manatee County and his term ends March 1, 2021.
• James G. Murphy represents Polk County and his term ends March 1, 2021.
• Joel Schleicher represents Charlotte and Sarasota…

The biannual employee meetings, held at each of the District service offices, are a good place to go and receive the latest information about what’s going on at the water management district.  Answering questions from District staff during the February employee meeting are Elaine Kuligofski, human resources director, and David Moore, executive director. During the meeting, staff were briefed about a variety of pending matters, such as the Tampa Bay Water…

John Finnerty, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco, left; Ron Oakley, former District Governing Board chair, center; and Susan Douglas, District Florida Water StarSM (FWS) program coordinator, recently attended the groundbreaking of two Florida Water StarSM homes in Lacoochee. Habitat volunteers built the Lacoochee houses during National Women Build Week in May. These are the first two Habitat homes in Pasco County to be…

 Veronica Craw, District environmental section manager, accepts the award from Blake Guillory, Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) president, and Kurt Spitzer, FSA executive director. The Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) recognized District stormwater and restoration projects at the group’s annual conference in June. The Weeki Wachee Springs Stormwater, Sediment Removal, and Revegetation Projects are improving water quality in Weeki Wachee Springs…

The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center was the ideal place to honor the very best in District-sponsored community and youth water resources education projects and to equip the awardees to go out and do more. A total of 52 projects from throughout the 16 counties that make up the District were recognized at the Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Conference. “I’m amazed at the diversity of the projects represented here,” said Executive Director David…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to comment on proposed minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for Gum Slough Spring Run and associated springs in northwestern Sumter County and southwestern Marion County at a public meeting on Wednesday, April 4.The rule development public workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala.The state Legislature requires the "District":http://www.watermatters…

A cooperative project between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hillsborough County will restore more than 160 acres within the county’s 2800-acre Fish Hawk Creek Preserve. Portions of the preserve are adjacent to District-owned lands and are within the Fish Hawk Creek watershed.This project will restore natural vegetation to upland habitat areas within the preserve. In addition to providing habitat for wildlife, the restoration of natural vegetation…

The City of Lakeland and the District have taken significant steps toward improving the water quality in Lake Parker. The first phase of a project was recently completed to reduce pollutants discharging into the lake. Prior to the completion of this project, stormwater runoff from this 530−acre drainage basin discharged to the lake without any form of treatment. Due to its dense urban development, this basin is particularly susceptible to common pollutants like…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is asking outdoor enthusiasts to take extra precautions to prevent wildfires when visiting District lands.The region is experiencing the effects of a three-year drought and October through May is Florida’s dry season. In addition, several freezes over the past month have made grasses and other light vegetation extremely dry and volatile.The District is asking campers and other outdoor enthusiasts to take the following…