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Asks the public to help our water resources recoverThe Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted unanimously today to extend the current Water Shortage Order, which restricts lawn watering throughout the District to one-day-per-week, through Sept. 30.The Governing Board chose to extend the term of the water shortage order because impacts from the two-year drought continue despite the start of the annual rainy season. In…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Winter Haven recently signed an agreement to begin a master plan that will identify ways to use reclaimed water and conserve the groundwater supply.“The master plan will ultimately recommend how the City of Winter Haven should focus its efforts to best accomplish its goals and use its reclaimed water reuse resources from its two wastewater treatment plants,” said Tammy Antoine, District staff water conservation…

The purpose of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) is to provide input into District programs and activities.This includes regulatory programs, rule revisions, water conservation activities, water resource planning, water resource and supply development projects, research and other water resource management projects that relate to the environment. Subject matter considered by the EAC shall relate to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the District.EAC members…

Explore the deepest wildlands of a Florida blackwater cypress swamp, or float down the crystal clear waters of a pristine spring-fed stream. District lands preserve hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline along many of the beautiful rivers and lakes in the region. Whether it is a great blue heron stalking its prey, an alligator sunning on a log or a deer getting a drink from the cool, clear waters of a spring-fed river, there are endless opportunities to view wildlife in…

*Who:*Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, Stages Productions, kindergarten and first-grade students from Kenly Elementary School*What:*This watershed awareness week event targets grade-school students. The goal is to teach students about the Hillsborough River watershed through an interactive theatre performance about water conservation and protection. The play “Water Pigs” is a fun take-off on the classic story of the three little pigs.The presentation is…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement for a 652-acre parcel of land located near the Myakka River State Park, contingent upon cooperative funding with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP.)The transaction includes the property owner, the Myakkahatchee Ranch, LLC., making a 25 percent…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), in cooperation with Hillsborough County, completed the largest habitat restoration project ever done in the history of Tampa Bay. Project BackgroundIn 2009, the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program began working to design and construct the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. This project was a cooperative effort between SWIM and the Hillsborough County…

It towers more than 10 stories and its canopy shades various species deep in the Green Swamp in Polk County. “Cattle once roamed around him,“ said Paul Elliott, senior land management specialist. “Seminole Indians once camped beside him. Ace has seen a lot.“ District officials aren’t exactly sure the age of “Ace,“ a red maple tree, but they know it’s a Florida Champion. Ace, short for its scientific name Acer rubrum, was recently designated a…

Sixteen Polk County teachers were awarded Splash! school grants through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.This year 157 Splash! grants were awarded across the District's 16 county region to educate students on Florida's water.Mary Margaret Hull, District lead communications coordinator, attributes the effectiveness of the grant program in Polk County to the strong partnership with Polk County Schools. Milt Huling, senior curriculum coordinator of science for…

The District’s Governing Board approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement of more than 1,088 acres of Triangle Ranch in Manatee County, in the upper Myakka River watershed. This action will prevent future development on this property by securing $2 million toward the purchase of the conservation agreement, and is a key part in the permanent protection of this important piece of land. Executive Director Brian Armstrong said the purchase increases the…

What is the Weeki Wachee Carrying Capacity Study? The Weeki Wachee Carrying Capacity Study is an ecologically-based study of the Weeki Wachee River in Hernando County. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effects of recreational use on the natural systems of the river, as its growing popularity and increased visitor traffic have led to concerns about potential degradation of the river and its ecosystems. Who conducted the study? Third-party consultant Wood…

White PapersWhite papers are authoritative reports or guides that help identify or solve a problem. White papers educate readers and help people make decisions. The District uses white paper research to synthesize research regarding barriers and benefits associated with target behaviors that influence water conservation and water quality. These white papers include programs that have been implemented promoting these behaviors along with strategy suggestions. …

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of Kirkland Ranch in Pasco County. This 940-acre parcel is located in Wesley Chapel and has been primarily used for cattle grazing and tree farming. The Kirkland family has owned this property since 1956. The Kirkland Ranch property is approximately 59% uplands and 41% wetlands. The areas surrounding the property are predominately residential single-family homes and are…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of North Port are working together on an innovative alternative water supply project that will allow the city to use the Myakkahatchee Creek as a year-round water supply source, improving the quality of drinking water to customers and providing a more reliable water supply to the city and the region.The project includes the design, permitting and construction of a facility with river bank filtration (RBF) and…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized four Sarasota County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by…