Search Content

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of Shell Creek and Prairie Creek Feb. 6-9. The sites are located upstream of the Henderson Dam in Charlotte County.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations. Treated areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Water treated with Reward should not be… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinths and water lettuce on portions of Shell Creek and Prairie Creek Dec. 12-15. The sites are located upstream of the Henderson Dam in Charlotte County.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations. Treated areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Water treated with Reward should not… Read more

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… Read more

As the drought continues to make front-page news across the country, the District is taking steps to stretch our limited water supply and raise public awareness about what people can do to help. The District has had below-average rainfall since January 2006. As of December, the Districtwide 24-month rainfall deficit is approximately 23 inches. “Conditions have not improved, particularly in the southern portion of the District,” said Richard Owen, District deputy… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on the shoreline and canals of Lake Panasoffkee April 11-14.Treatment involves using the aquatic herbicide Reward. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Restrictions on Reward include no livestock watering for one day, no irrigation of turf or ornamental plants for one day or crops for five days and… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Braden River Feb. 13-16. The sites are located south of State Road 70 in Manatee County.Treatment involves using the aquatic herbicide Reward. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Restrictions on Reward include no livestock watering for one day, no irrigation of turf or ornamental… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Braden River April 4-7. The sites are located south of State Road 70 in Manatee County.Treatment involves using the aquatic herbicide Reward. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Restrictions on Reward include no livestock watering for one day, no irrigation of turf or ornamental… Read more

Riprap and filter socks were installed at the end of Bayhouse Point Avenue to filter out nutrients entering Little Sarasota Bay. A Sarasota community has reduced polluted stormwater runoff into Little Sarasota Bay, thanks to a partnership with a neighboring community and the District. Pelican Cove, a 731-unit condominium community on Little Sarasota Bay, partnered with the District to build a stormwater treatment system to redirect stormwater runoff,… Read more

With the cooler temperatures this week, the 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 your… Read more

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.… Read more

Homebuilders in the District will soon have an edge over their competitors through a new certification program that will bring “gold” to “green” homebuilding practices. The District’s Florida Water Star℠ Gold (FWSG) certification program, launching this January, will certify and recognize builders who incorporate water-saving efforts into new homes. The program is a points-based certification that addresses indoor, irrigation and landscape conservation components… Read more

Restrictions eased on car washing, pressure washing, fountains and air-conditioningThe Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted to modify and continue the Modified Phase IV (or Critical) Water Shortage restrictions for potable water use in theTampa Bay Water service area until August 31, 2009.Under the revised Phase IV order, lawn watering remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule from midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be treating hydrilla on the Rainbow River during the week of March 7–10.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from upstream of KP Hole Park to the CR 484 bridge.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 not be… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinths and water lettuce on portions of Shell Creek and Prairie Creek January 24-27. The sites are located upstream of the Henderson Dam in Charlotte County.Treatment involves using the aquatic herbicide Reward. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. Restrictions on Reward include no livestock watering for one day, no irrigation of… Read more