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 As part of the District's Little Manatee River project, this property protects the watershed of the river. The primary natural communities on the tract are pine flatwoods in the uplands and bottomland hardwood forests. Prior to District ownership, like many areas in central Florida, the site was converted into rangeland for raising cattle.The high-quality scrub and scrubby flatwoods habitats have been restored for native species. The reintroduction of fire helps…

December 2025Q: Why is conserving water outdoors important?A: Typically, outdoor water use accounts for about 50 percent of water consumed by households, so it’s important to pay attention to your outdoor water use. If using a permanent inground irrigation system, conduct regular maintenance to ensure the system is working properly and make seasonal adjustments throughout the year. If using a non-permanent above-ground…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management Districts Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board and the City of Clearwater will improve water quality, reduce erosion and increase flood protection along the Stevensons Creek Watershed.The watershed encompasses an area of approximately 10 square miles in western Pinellas that includes the cities of Dunedin and Clearwater.This multi-year project will allow the implementation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs)…

Thirteen Sumter County teachers are among the record number of educators who applied for and received Splash! mini-grants through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.This year the District awarded Splash! mini-grants to 209 educators totaling more than $413,000. That’s 72 more grant recipients than last year.Mary Margaret Hull, lead communications coordinator, attributes the increase in awardees to an increase in promotion among the District’s school…

The full WaterMatters color palette is displayed here with the defined color name, the hex color code, site section accent (were applicable) and results of WCAG color contrast testing for white/black text on the color. $azure #00aeef ABOUT White #00aeef Black PASS $sandy #edd570 RESIDENTS White #edd570 Black PASS $seafoam-blue #57daa4 BUSINESS White #57daa4 Black…

Weeki Wachee Springs has an extensive underwater cave system and is known for its world-famous mermaids. About the SpringsThe Weeki Wachee River is a first-magnitude spring system originating in Hernando County. The headspring is home to …

This Statement of Agency Organization and Operation (“Statement”) is issued and maintained as required by Sections 120.53 and 120.54, Florida Statutes (“F.S.”) and Chapter 28-101, Florida Administrative Code (“F.A.C.”). This Statement is intended to assist the public in understanding how the Southwest Florida Water Management District operates, how it is organized, and how to do business or interact with the District.Introduction: What is the Southwest…

Left: Range Master Bill Rappleyea, right, and Teagan Harris demonstrate shooting technique. Right: Tyler Smith, left, and Austin Vice retrieve their arrows after a contest. Thanks to some help from the District, a new 4-H Club is getting off the ground in Sumter County. The Sumter County 4-H Club is using the District’s Lake Panasoffkee property to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District District) is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year. Following the directive in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Emergency Order to conduct all public meetings electronically to reduce the…

 About the FARMS ProgramFARMS is an agricultural cost-share reimbursement program that reduces groundwater withdrawals from the Upper Floridan aquifer through conservation and alternative water supply best management practices (BMPs). In conjunction with water conservation BMPs, water quality and natural systems improvement BMPs also may be cost-shared in priority areas.The program is designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board recently honored Marilyn Samaha, as the first Land Resources volunteer of the year.Samaha was recognized for the countless hours she spent developing a recreational partnership between the District, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bypass Canal Rowing Council (TBCRC), which she created and serves as president.The development of the TBCRC to coordinate with the District and the county has resulted in a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored three outstanding Hillsborough County projects that focused on water resources education. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.

• Diane King and Brad Jackson, Valrico Elementary School teachers, were recognized for their project, “Cycles of Life.” As part of a 2006-2007 Splash! mini-…

Tampa Tribune food critic Jeff Houck, left, and Governing Board Secretary Paul Senft, right, put water samples to the test. Governing Board Secretary Paul Senft set out to find the best drinking water in the region. When he found it, he helped crown Hernando County as the winner of the Region IV 2010 Best-Tasting Drinking Water Contest on Feb. 26 in Zephyrhills. The contest was sponsored by Region IV of the Florida Section of the American Water Works…

January 2026Q: Why should homeowners skip a week of irrigation in the winter?A: According to research by the University of Florida, grass only needs one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days in the winter. That means you can skip a week of irrigation in the cooler months. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed. It’s important…

The Southwest Florida Management District’s Governing Board approved funding Tuesday for a project that evaluates alternatives for reducing flooding and improving water quality within the Christina Watershed.The Christina Watershed, located near Mulberry in western Polk County, is approximately 6 square miles and is part of the headwaters to the North Prong of the Alafia River. This area has experienced recurrent flooding for the past ten years and is also…

October 2023Q: What kind of recreation opportunities does the District offer?A: There are thousands of acres of recreational lands throughout the District and access to most of them is free to visitors. If you are into biking, birding, boating, camping, canoeing and paddling, equestrian activities, fishing, hiking or hunting, there’s something for everyone on the nearly 70 properties. Several District properties offer picnic facilities, and…

More than 700 of the best and brightest minds in water reuse met in Tampa this September to take part in the 22nd Annual WateReuse Symposium, which focused on water reuse and desalination. This is the first time the WateReuse Association has held its annual event in the Tampa Bay area. The association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science and technology using…

The District’s Regulation Division recently received two awards from the Florida Sterling Council, an organization promoting excellence in business management. Michelle Maxey, Regulatory Support Bureau chief, received the Examiner Excellence Award, which is given annually to one examiner who demonstrated extraordinary service to the Florida Sterling Council and the Examiner Corps.…