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The District uses an extensive combination of research and analysis when assessing aquifer water level changes and the impacts to the state's springs, rivers and wetlands. A computer model is one of those tools used in that research and analysis.
The District uses porous media models to monitor and regulate groundwater withdrawals and the impacts to resources. Porous media models are mathematical representations of a groundwater system made up of sand, clay and…
Rainfall deficits remain in all 16 countiesThe Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted today to extend all Phase II and Phase III water restrictions.Despite some instances of short-term heavy rainfall this summer that caused temporary, localized flooding, all of the counties within the District still have rainfall deficits and water levels are already declining.The Board voted to continue the…
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) manages lands under its stewardship for the protection of water resources and natural systems through the application of effective, efficient and fiscally responsible land management practices. The purposes and attributes for which the lands were acquired provide the foundation for designating the appropriate land use and management strategies on the lands. As stewards of more than 343,000 acres of land within the 16…
The Southwest Florida Water Management District manages lands under its stewardship for the protection of water resources and natural systems through the application of effective, efficient and fiscally responsible land management practices. The purposes and attributes for which the lands were acquired provide the foundation for designating the appropriate land use and management strategies on the lands. As stewards of more than 343,000 acres of land within the its 16-county…
Nearly a decade of public workshops, water resource analyses, and policy debates culminated this week in approval of the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA) Recovery Strategy by the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board.This is an historic moment for the District, the public and the water resources, said Executive Director David L. Moore. Many years of labor and collaboration by Board members, staff, representatives of all the types of water users…
Scientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Surface Water Improvement and Management, or SWIM program, released the results of its 2016 seagrass mapping study showing Tampa Bay now supports 41,655 acres of seagrass beds. This increase continues the success of the previous mapping efforts reported in 2015, supporting the largest amount of seagrass measured since the 1950s.This increase in seagrass has surpassed the recovery goal of 38,000…
As bureau chief of Land Resources, Ellen Morgan Morrison is responsible for oversight of the District’s broad range of land-related activities covering more than 453,000 acres across all or part of 16 counties, including real estate services, land use requests and land management. Morrison oversees all District land acquisitions and sales, along with maintenance, recreation, security and management of the District’s approximately 265,000 acres of…
Joshua Gamblin of Arcadia is the Ranch Manager of Stolen Saddle Ranch.Gamblin was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2024. His term expires March 1, 2028.Previously, he served as the land manager, wildlife biologist, and private land burn team coordinator for the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.Gamblin earned his bachelor’s degree in natural resource management in wildlife from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and his master’s degree in forest…
The purpose of the Industrial, Commercial & Institutional Advisory Committee (ICIAC) is to provide professional and technical 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 ICIAC shall relate to the…
The District recently launched a new resource for rainfall and river data.
The new Hydrologic Data Page features daily rainfall and river flow information in an easy-to-read format. The page provides a summary of daily and month-to-date rainfall totals at 89 collection sites in the District.
The page debuted a day after Tropical Storm…
Residents Urged to “Skip a Week” of Irrigation During Cooler Months
The District’s Governing Board voted in December to modify the tightened turfgrass restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, which will allow builders to sod and residents to replace lawns under a specific set of conditions.
The move comes after District staff met with members of the sod industry to discuss solutions to the extreme water shortage in the Tampa Bay area and the…
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended the water shortage emergency order issued Aug. 13 for the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority’s reservoir and two Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wellfields to help protect the drinking water supply for more than 250,000 residents.An executive order signed Wednesday will allow the authority to continue to temporarily increase withdrawals from the Peace River to store additional water in the…
During cooler months in fall and winter, your lawn doesn’t need watering every week. It’s the best time to train your yard to need less water! So only water your lawn every other week and only if it needs it. Too much irrigation…
- Makes your lawn less able to survive droughts
- Encourages pests and disease
- Wastes water
- Grass doesn’t need as much water in the cooler months
- Apply 1/2" to 3/4" of water …
The management of the Green Swamp involves the coordinated efforts of many different agencies and organizations. The District is the lead agency responsible for regulating, protecting, preserving, restoring and making available for public use the water resources and lands of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.In many instances, public land in the Green Swamp is managed cooperatively by more than one agency, with assistance from volunteers and the private sector. The Fish…
Just as building a house takes more than one tool, protecting springs requires many tools. It takes a combination of scientific expertise, studying, planning, personal passion and more among District staff and its community partners.
“In my nearly 20 years here, I’ve worked in various departments and can attest to the multitude of activities in the District all working simultaneously to improve and manage our treasured springs,” said Chris Anastasiou, Chief Environmental…
Five Polk County projects that are expected to reach approximately 27,100 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant…
The Governing Board charged District staff in January with initiating a public process to receive input on four strategies aimed at protecting the natural resources in the northern portion of the District due to rapid growth and development.
The four strategies include expansion of the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA) per capita requirements Districtwide; expansion of the Northern Tampa Bay WUCA into northeastern Hillsborough and the remainder of Pasco counties…