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Hillsborough County to Benefit From Three Community Education Grants »
Projects expected to inform up to 450,000 people in Hillsborough County about water conservation and water quality issues were recently awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org. This year the District awarded 12 grants Districtwide for a total of $50,319. This is the 15th year "Community Education Grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/ have been available. These grants…
Stormwater Ponds »
Your Questions AnsweredMarch 2019Q:  What are stormwater ponds and why do we need them?A:  A stormwater pond is designed to collect and manage runoff from rainwater. When rainwater lands on rooftops, parking lots, streets, driveways and other hard surfaces, the rainfall that doesn’t soak into the ground (stormwater runoff) flows into your neighborhood stormwater pond through grates, pipes, shallow swales or ditches.…
District Asks Homeowners to "Skip a Week" of Irrigation this Winter »
Overwatering in winter can encourage pests and disease The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact,…
Media Alert: WET, WILD and Woodsy training at Camp Honi Hanta »
Who: K–12 educators, Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, Project Learning Tree representatives, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff and the Girls Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.What: This statewide training opportunity will teach educators exciting ways to incorporate environmental conservation and water resources education in activities and in the classroom. Saturday’s workshops include…
District Asks Homeowners to "Skip A Week" of Irrigation This Winter »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn't need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off…
District seeks volunteers to participate in Public Lands Day at the Weekiwachee Preserve »
Who:Representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Land Resources Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hernando County Planning Department, Hernando County Audubon Society and volunteersWhat:As part of the 15th Annual National Public Lands Day, the District’s Land Resources Department is coordinating a volunteer work day at the Weekiwachee Preserve, which is located along the Hernando County Coast, west of the…
Rain sensor rebates available to Manatee County Utilities customers »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the Manatee County Extension Service and Manatee County Utilities on a rebate program aimed at promoting outdoor water conservation.As part of the program, Manatee County Utilities Operations customers who live in the western unincorporated service area of Manatee County and the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach are eligible to participate in a rain sensor rebate program.Residents or…
Homosassa River »
 Highlights
  • Homosassa Springs is the headwaters of the Homosassa River and is known as the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
  • The park serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for orphaned or injured manatees.
  • Located in Citrus County
  • 270-square-mile springshed
ChallengesThe river has numerous canals and seawalls that have had a negative impact on water quality and habitat.StrategiesThrough cooperation with other government…
District speakers available to discuss the drought »
Do you belong to an organization whose members want to learn more about the drought?Southwest Florida Water Management District staff members are available to speak to community groups on the drought, what the District is doing to meet water needs, and what residents can do to help.The District’s rainfall deficit for the past two years is more than 20 inches. Forecasters are predicting a drier than normal winter and spring, which means this serious situation will…
Rainbow River »
 Highlights
  • Home to the fourth largest spring in the state of Florida, Rainbow Springs
  • Discharges an average of 493 million gallons of water per day into the Withlacoochee River
  • Designated an Outstanding Florida Water and an Aquatic Preserve
  • Located in Marion and Citrus counties
  • 73-square-mile watershed
ChallengesThe main challenge facing Rainbow River is the rapid growth experienced within its watershed. This growth is…
Stormwater Ponds – Your Questions Answered »
August 2024Q:  What are stormwater ponds and why do we need them?A:  A stormwater pond is designed to collect and manage runoff from rainwater. When rainwater lands on rooftops, parking lots, streets, driveways and other hard surfaces, the rainfall that doesn’t soak into the ground (stormwater runoff) flows into your neighborhood stormwater pond through grates, pipes, shallow swales or ditches. Stormwater ponds are required for…
Lake Tarpon »
 Highlights
  • Lake Tarpon is the largest freshwater lake in the Tampa Bay area
  • 2,534 acres of surface area
  • Designated an Outstanding Florida Water and a Fish Management Area
  • Located in Pinellas County
  • 52-square-mile watershed
ChallengesThree main challenges exist in the Lake Tarpon watershed:
  • Decline in water quality due to highly urbanized watershed inputs
  • Imbalanced fish communities
  • Increased…
Homosassa Springs, Citrus County »
Homosassa Springs has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s and is now located within a state park that features a fishbowl observatory and manatee rehabilitation. About the SpringsThe Homosassa River is a first-magnitude spring system originating in western Citrus County. Homosassa Springs is at the headwaters of this short, slow moving tidal river, which flows 8 miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of America.Many springs make up the…
District to Treat Hydrilla on Rainbow River »
The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River during the week of Feb. 21–25.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from upstream of KP Hole Park to the Withlacoochee River.Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K and post warning signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and water use restrictions. Treated river water should…
District to treat hydrilla on Rainbow River »
The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River from the head spring to the Withlacoochee River during the week of April 19–23.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K to scattered infestations. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable "water use restrictions(Aquatic…
District Makes Major Land Purchase in Partnership with Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of State Lands »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of a 4,357-acre conservation easement over a portion of the approximately 16,315-acre Carlton Horse Creek Ranch. The acquisition is in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of State Lands (DSL). DSL will negotiate a conservation easement over the remaining 11,958 acres. Horse Creek Ranch is located across both Hardee and DeSoto…
District to Hold Public Meeting on Little Manatee River Corridor Restoration Project in Hillsborough County »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, July 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the SouthShore Regional Library of Hillsborough County in Community Room 2, located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin. The purpose of the meeting is for the public to learn more about the proposed restoration plans for public properties along…
Project will help reduce groundwater pumping in Polk County »
A Southwest Florida Water Management District project will help a Polk County nursery reduce groundwater pumping.The project involves installing a weather station at the Cherry Lake Tree Farm, which is owned by I.M.G. Enterprises, Inc.Weather stations help farmers irrigate more precisely, based on weather conditions. For example, during frost-freeze events the farmer has exact data for the area and can turn on the pumps at the appropriate time instead of pumping all night.…