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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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows for the Dona Bay/Shakett Creek system below Cow Pen Slough in Sarasota 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’s natural systems… Read more

 The Myakka River, designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, flows through the northeast portion of the forest, dividing the forest into two tracts, with the larger portion on the west side of the river. Big Slough (also called Myakkahatchee Creek) enters the forest at the northeast and drains into the Myakka River. The western section of the property contains much of the headwaters of Rock Creek, a tributary to Lemon Bay, which is also part of the Charlotte Harbor… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows for the upper segment of the Braden River. The Upper Braden River is the portion of the river from Linger Lodge to Lorraine Road.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… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pasco County are holding a workshop for developers, engineers and the general public to review and comment on a watershed management plan for the Anclote River watershed, which is located west of the Suncoast Parkway.The workshop is being held at the Land O’ Lakes Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 4 until 7 p.m. The library is located at 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.A watershed is an area of land that… Read more

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) staff, Sen. Mike Bennett, Rep. Michael Grant, local elected officials, Department of Environmental Protection staff, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center staff, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program staffWhat: The District will host an event in the Charlotte Harbor watershed to celebrate 20 years since the Florida Legislature passed the Surface Water Improvement and Management… Read more

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) staff, state and City of Winter Haven elected officials and staffWhat: The District will host an event on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes to celebrate 20 years since the Florida Legislature passed the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act. The District will provide a tour starting at Lake Hartridge Nature Park and heading south to Lake Howard. The tour will cover… Read more

Getting a well construction permit now can be just a point and click away thanks to a new online application process developed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The District issues more than 20,000 well construction permit applications each year.“This application revolutionizes the way that we conduct business by reducing paperwork, streamlining our business processes, and placing more power in the hands of the individual computer users,” said Terry Redman,… Read more

With the growing popularity of home improvement shows, the Southwest Florida Water Management District believes it has found a way to promote Florida-Friendly landscaping.The District is cooperating in “Curb Appeal,” a contest created by Cox Radio for Stanek Windows. One homeowner will win home and landscaping improvements, including up to $5,000 in new windows and a front yard makeover of up to a $10,000 value using Florida-Friendly plants and landscaping techniques.“The… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during August on the District's "Weekiwachee Preserve(Weekiwachee Preserve)":/recreation/areas/weekiwachee.html in Hernando County.Weekiwachee Preserve is located one mile west of Spring Hill. Approximately 360 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during August on the District's "Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve(Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve)":/recreation/areas/halpata.html in Marion County.Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located five miles east of Dunnellon. Approximately 1,535 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during August on the District's "Conner Preserve(Conner Preserve)":/recreation/areas/conner.html in Pasco County.Conner Preserve is located four miles north of Land O' Lakes. Approximately 830 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units. The scheduled, managed burns are a part of routine maintenance of lands managed by… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Citrus and Levy County lakes.The first public workshop will be held to discuss the Fort Cooper Lake and the Floral City Pool of Tsala Apopka Lake in Citrus County and Lake Marion in Levy County. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the District’s Brooksville Headquarters, 2379 Broad Street.The second public workshop will be held to discuss… Read more

h2. Rules Will Reduce Impacts From Future Frost/Freeze EventsThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ new regulatory rules took effect today for existing and future water use permit holders in the Dover/Plant City area with crops that require frost/freeze protection.The District developed the new rules in response to the unprecedented 11-day January 2010 freeze event, which resulted in more than 750 dry wells and more… Read more

Gov. Rick Scott reappointed five members of the District’s Governing Board: Jeffrey Adams, 56, of St. Petersburg, is an attorney with Abbey, Adams, Byelick, and Mueller LLP. He is reappointed for a term ending March 1, 2018. Elijah “Ed” Armstrong, 58, of Dunedin, is an attorney with Hill Ward Henderson. He is reappointed for a term ending March 1, 2018. Randall “Randy” Maggard, 51, of Zephyrhills, is the vice… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us will be conducting "controlled, prescribed burns" during May and June on both the Deer Prairie Creek Preserve and neighboring Schewe Tract."Deer Prairie Creek Preserve(Myakka River - Deer Prairie Creek Preserve)":/recreation/areas/myakka-deerprairie.html, which is jointly owned and managed by the District and Sarasota County, lies between Interstate 75… Read more

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to see freezing temperatures Thursday morning.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps Wednesday night.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops and fish farms,… Read more