Search Content

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…

 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 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…

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…

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…

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 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 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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Marion County. The District will provide a virtual public comment period now through July 12 at …

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(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…

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…

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…

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…