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The Hydrologic Conditions Report provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic analysis. The Hydrologic Conditions Report is generated monthly and provides an analytical summary of regional and temporal variations in the hydrologic conditions for planning and regulatory purposes. In addition, it provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic analysis. Data collected are used by the regulatory,… Read more

Each year, public supply utilities must estimate the populations within their service area.Utilities also use population projections in the calculation of future water demand for planning and permitting purposes. View the following demographic resources that the District makes available to utilities:Section A to review your utility’s service area map… Read more

To improve accuracy, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has upgraded the datum used to record water level elevation.   The District has upgraded the datum, or starting point, used to record water level elevation at its data collection sites. Water elevation is measured in feet above mean sea level. The datum was upgraded from the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988… Read more

Highlights

• System of 19 interconnected lakes, made up of two major groups; five in the northern chain and 14 in the southern chain
• Lakes were interconnected through the construction of canals to promote commerce
• Located in Polk County
• 32-square-mile watershed

Challenges Two main challenges exist in the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes watershed:

• Nutrient loading from urban runoff
• … Read more

January 2024Q: What is a prescribed burn?A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals and objectives. The burns follow a written prescription, which outlines the defined fire treatment area, specific weather conditions that are required, the tactics staff will use, and the staffing and equipment resources that are required to safely conduct the… Read more

Your Questions Answered  March 2021 During the past year, we’ve come to appreciate the recreational opportunities of natural Florida like never before. The Weeki Wachee River is one of those breath-taking jewels people love to visit. This river flows about 7 miles from the headspring to where it meets the Gulf of Mexico at Bayport in Hernando County. It’s a popular spot for kayaking and boating, but a recent study found certain recreational… Read more

To meet Polk County’s future water needs, the District and county will be investigating the Lower Floridan aquifer as a potential alternative water source. BackgroundPolk County has traditionally relied on fresh groundwater from the Upper Floridan aquifer as aprimary water source for public, agricultural and industrial uses. The District’s 2015 Regional Water Supply Plan identifies a 22 percent increase in water supply will be needed to meet future demand in Polk County… Read more

Your Questions Answered August 2019 Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. Chris Reed, Land Management Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explains why the District’s prescribed burn efforts are critical to keeping Florida’s ecosystem in balance. Q: What is a… Read more