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Three Marion County projects expected to reach up to 11,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org. 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 "35 grants Districtwide(2010 Community Education Grant Projects)":http://www.swfwmd.state.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System in response to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.The Hillsborough River has reached the activation criteria and the District has closed Structure S-155 as of 6 p.m. tonight. The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) is now considered activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with…

Beginning next week, residents around Kings Bay will receive a special mail delivery that will show them just how easy it is to keep their bay beautiful.The Southwest Florida Water Management District is providing information about proper fertilizing techniques and septic tank maintenance to Kings Bay residents as part of its “Know Where It Flows” educational campaign.Nutrients from fertilizers and septic tanks can seep into the ground, which discharge into and…

The District has many last-minute gift and decorating ideas that can save and protect water resources and create new holiday traditions. Here are some gift ideas:  • Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and an inexpensive gift when you pick one up at a local extension office. • Compost bins provide nutrients for a garden and keep food scraps out of the garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses up to 4 gallons of water per minute. • Raised garden…

Carl Wright, senior water conservation analyst, locates leaks by using an acoustic listening instrument. It’s the ear, not the eye, that locates costly leaks in public supply water distribution systems. “If you were relying on water coming to the surface to tell you where there was a leak, those things could go on unchecked indefinitely,” said Carl Wright, senior water conservation analyst for the District. Wright operates the District’s Urban Mobile Lab,…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold an independent, scientific peer review of wetland-based criteria for use in establishing minimum wetland and lake levels beginning this month. A minimum level is the level of groundwater in an aquifer or the level of surface water at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology of the area. The review will be conducted by a three-member panel…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating hydrilla in several canals off of the Weeki Wachee River July 11-15.Treatment will occur on the Weeki Wachee Shores and the Weeki Wachee Retreats canal systems. Bear Trial borders the canals on the west and East Richard Drive borders the canals on the east.Treatment involves the application of the aquatic herbicide Aquathol Super K. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 6:00 p.m. at the Polk County Natural Resources Division, located at 4177 Ben Durrance Road in Bartow. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on proposed Minimum and Guidance Levels for Eagle Lake and Lake McLeod. The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for…

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials have deactivated the District's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) from a Level 2 to a Level 3. In April, the District activated the EOC to Level 2 in coordination with State Emergency Response Teams who requested and directed District resources during Florida's wildfire emergency event. The EOC provides direction and controls District activities during an emergency event.Level 3 activation is utilized when a…

It's National Engineers Week, a time when engineers are recognized for their vital work, including at the District where they help minimize flood risks and protect water resources. “Engineers in various District departments take on a different role but collectively work together to achieve the District’s mission” said Marie Rutter, the District’s staffing specialist.  “A variety of technical and managerial paths are offered at the District, depending on each…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board recognized Lace Blue-McLean as this year’s springs community partner, while declaring April Springs Protection Awareness Month. Blue-McLean is the chair of the Save Our Waters Week Committee, which was formed more than 20 years ago to bring awareness to water issues in Citrus County. Each year, she dedicates countless hours to organizing the weeklong event. Through free tours, cleanups and other…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org continues to maintain its commitment to provide key services to the agricultural community despite organization changes and staff reductions. The economic downturn, reduced property values and other constraints have led to significant budget cuts, staff reductions and re-evaluation of priorities at the District in 2012.Facing new budget realities, the District's Governing Board directed staff to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is proud to announce the recipients of the 2006 Community Education Grant Program. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 34 grants Districtwide for a total of $151,278. Of those 34 grants awarded, five were awarded to groups in Pinellas County.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant…

The first in a series of public workshops on the effects of the January 2010 record freeze is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Feb. 17 at the "Hillsborough Community College Trinkle Center in Plant City(Plant City Campus of Hillsborough Community College)":http://www.hccfl.edu/pc.aspx. "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org officials are looking for feedback from the public at the workshops. The District is…

  A group of lawyers, prosecutors and judges from Brazil recently stopped by the District to learn about environmental law. The group of legal experts visited several agencies throughout the state to learn about different aspects of law as part of a summer program. The visit was coordinated through the University of Florida’s College of Law. District staff discussed Florida water law, the creation and development of water management districts, the importance…

The Problem With Lake Persimmon... Air it Out! A simple solution seems to be the temporary answer to Lake Persimmon’s poor water quality. A study in 2000 showed that the Highlands County lake experiences continual blooms of blue-green algae and long periods of anoxia at the bottom and middle depths of the lake. Anoxia is the lack of oxygen resulting from dense algae in the lake. The algae blocks light penetration below the surface, inhibiting growth of desirable…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is once again advising homeowners with wells who live near Plant City and Dover to switch off the pumps on their wells tonight and Thursday night. A hard freeze is expected both nights.During a freeze, farmers pump additional water from their wells to protect their crops, causing aquifer levels to drop temporarily. Once aquifer levels fall below a well’s pump level, the pump can burn out if it is not shut off. An…

h2. District, County Cooperate to Help Manage and Treat StormwaterResidents of the Garden Grove neighborhood in the Cypress Gardens area will see less flooding and better water quality in nearby lakes thanks to a project funded by Polk County and the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard.Construction began this fall on the project, which will help reduce flooding…

At its June 6 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Peace River Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2009 (FY2009) millage rate of 0.1827 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year. The Peace River Basin Board area includes Hardee, DeSoto and portions of Polk, Highlands and Charlotte counties.This proposed millage rate combined with a reduction in taxable property values as estimated by the five county property appraisers, will result…

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activationSouthwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Invest 97L and raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2 at 8 a.m. this morning. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during, and after an emergency weather event.Invest 97L has the potential to bring significant rainfall to our area throughout the District’s 16-…