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The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Mattaniah Property, in partnership with Hillsborough County, in the Alafia River Watershed. This 629-acre parcel of land adjoins the Alafia River Reserve, which is in existing District ownership and managed by Polk County, and contains portions of English Creek, Thirty-mile Creek, and the North Prong of the Alafia River in Hillsborough County.This is the first joint…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ and Pasco County are gathering input needed to address stormwater flooding in several subdivisions in the Cypress Creek watershed in southern Pasco County.The District and the county are in the initial stages of planning projects to help improve water quality and flood protection in the following areas:* Angus Valley* Circle Eight Acres* The Enclave* Fox Run* Foxwood* Lake…

Projects in local communities, a new water use caution area in Hillsborough County, an organizational restructuring and a new executive leadership team were some of the changes that marked the District’s 50th year. Positive Results West-central Florida water resources showed signs that efforts to reduce pollution were having positive effects. Scientists with the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management Program recorded major gains in seagrass growth in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum levels for Lake Anoka in Highlands County.A minimum flow or level (MFL) is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s natural systems. Minimum lake levels are used as…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Lake Annie, Lake Bonnie, Dinner Lake, Lake Lee, Lake Mabel, Lake Starr and Venus Lake in Polk County.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs…

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area may see freezing temperatures during early morning hours on Friday. This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover to switch off the pumps on their wells Thursday night and leave the pumps off until the temperatures warm up in the morning. Temperatures are expected to drop below 34…

Parts of the Tampa Bay area may see freezing temperatures during early morning hours on Thursday. This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover to switch off the pumps on their wells Wednesday night and leave the pumps off until the temperatures warm up in the morning. Temperatures are expected to drop below 34 degrees for three to…

A cooperatively funded project among the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Polk County and the City of Frostproof will reduce flooding in the Lake Clinch area by improving flow between Lake Clinch and Reedy Lake.Lake Clinch is part of a chain of lakes in Polk County. Water flows from Crooked Lake into Lake Clinch and then into Reedy Lake. However, the conveyance system between these lakes has been altered many times over the years, significantly reducing the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Lakes Allen, Harvey and Virginia in Hillsborough County.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s natural systems…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for Lake Bonnie and Lake Parker in Polk County.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving a balance between meeting human water needs and those of Florida’s natural systems. Minimum lake…

Basin Board: Manasota Basin Board Term: First appointed March 26, 2001. Currently in her third term, which expires March 1, 2010 Occupation: Land Planner Current residence: Manatee County Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan Reason you applied to be a Basin Board member: Opportunity to get involved in one of the most important planning issues…

 Far left: Student “reporters” take part in a skit that shows them what it’s like to work in the District’s Communications Department. Center: Chan Springstead, planner, taught students not to be a water pig. Right: Jason Mickel, senior planner, shows students the role planners play in managing the District’s water resources. With 14 interactive educational displays, students between the ages of 9 and 18 spent the day learning about a variety of careers at…

An area home builder has been honored for the second time in one year for the use of water-wise landscaping.Rusaw Homes was presented with the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition Award Thursday at the Citrus County Builders Association Spring Parade of Homes event. This is a repeat performance for the builder, which also received the top award during the fall Parade of Homes.The winning design can be seen at Rusaw Homes’ Oakdale Anniversary model, 2819 West Lantana Drive…

Three Manatee County projects expected to reach nearly 5,000 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 38 grants Districtwide for a total of $136,598. This is the 11th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community…

Homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are invited to “play in the dirt” at this year’s Florida Yard Fandango March 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.This is the second year the Florida-friendly gardening event is being held at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI.)The goal of the Fandango is to promote Florida-friendly landscaping and lawn maintenance because it is beautiful and saves water, time and energy. Participants will enjoy touring the butterfly gardens and…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is gathering information to improve identification of flooding risks for three Marion County watersheds.This information is being developed as part of the *Withlacoochee River*, *Withlacoochee River 2* and *Withlacoochee Region* watershed management plans. The plans were cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Marion County.The District is…

District staff, Governing Board members and Hillsborough River Basin Board members recently welcomed the first wave of warm weather with a canoe trip down the upper Hillsborough River. The outing was an opportunity to see firsthand a highly protected natural river in its upper reaches, which ultimately provides water supplies to the City of Tampa and freshwater flows to Tampa Bay. “The upper Hillsborough River is in excellent ecological condition, with good water…

At today’s meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board adopted a fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.268 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The budget for FY2007 is $9,288,171, which is an increase of $180,006 from the adopted FY2006 budget. The main reason for this increase is due to increased property values offset by a reduction in state funding. FY2007 will run from Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30…

Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board Sets Proposed Millage RateAt its June 8 meeting, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board adopted a proposed fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) millage rate of 0.268 mill, which is the same as the current fiscal year.The proposed budget for FY2007 is $8,213,055, which is a decrease of $895,110 from the adopted FY2006 budget. The main reason for this decrease is a reduction in state funding. FY2007…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a virtual workshop Tuesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. to collect public comment on the proposed minimum levels for Lake Tulane and Lake Verona in Highlands County.Members of the public may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/minimumlevels. The Google Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with…