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Some areas of the District are still seeing rising floodwater. Flooding can occur days and even weeks after a storm due to numerous factors. Where, when and how much rainfall occurred are just some of the reasons for post-Milton flooding.When: The District has experienced an above-average year of rainfall. Hurricane Milton brought heavy rains at the end of the summer rainy season when the ground was already saturated and water levels were already high, preventing further… Read more

Following the Florida Legislature's lead, the "Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ proclaimed April 2013 Springs Protection Awareness Month at their monthly board meeting. The Board emphasized that the state's springs are essential to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state.The District invested more than $2.2 million in "springs protection":http://www.swfwmd.state.… Read more

Gov. Charlie Crist on March 22 appointed Richard Matassa and Fritz Musselmann to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Coastal Rivers Basin Board(Coastal Rivers Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/coastal.php.Matassa is from Spring Hill in Hernando County. He is the managing director of A Civil Design Group, and was appointed to succeed Elaine Perry. His term ends March 1, 2012. Musselmann is from Spring Hill in Pasco County. He was the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during June, July and August on the District’s Chito Branch Reserve and the District’s Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area, which includes Flatwoods Park and the Oak Ridge and Washburn Equestrian areas.The Chito Branch Reserve is approximately 10 miles south of Plant City and borders Tampa Bay Water’s C.W. “Bill” Young Regional… Read more

TheDeSoto County Parks and Recreation Department will receive a $5,000 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a three-part environmental education event at Morgan Park in Arcadia.The event consists of a one-hour educational program, a guided canoe cleanup of the Peace River and the installation of interpretive signs. The event will reduce pollution in the Peace River, as well as teach park visitors about the proper way to dispose… Read more

TheFriends of the Dunnellon Public Library will receive a $4,550 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a Florida-friendly demonstration garden.This demonstration garden and signage at the new public library will be designed by the Marion County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) coordinator and maintained by the Friends of the Library organization. The library will offer four FYN workshops to residents and at least two… Read more

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 34 grants awarded, 11 were given to groups in Hillsborough County.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is… Read more

The DeSoto County Parks and Recreation Department will receive a $5,000 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a three-part environmental education program.The $5,000 grant is for “Picking up the pieces on the Peace River,” a three-part environmental education program for DeSoto County residents. The program consists of a one-hour educational program, a guided canoe cleanup of the Peace River and the installation of… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has begun construction on four projects to restore natural systems and improve the water quality at the Charlotte Harbor Buffer Preserve.The Charlotte Harbor Buffer Preserve has been significantly impacted by human activities, such as construction of miles of mosquito ditches and berms, which have altered historic wetland hydroperiods and flow patterns into Charlotte Harbor.The projects will fill mosquito ditches to restore… Read more

The Sumter County Extension Service Office will receive a $5,000 grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2006 Community Education Grant Program.The Sumter County Extension Service Office was awarded the funds for the Lake Panasofkee Preservation Celebration, which will provide more than 500 residents with the opportunity to learn more about the history, restoration and future preservation of Lake Panasofkee. This one-day event will include a… Read more

The Spring Hill Garden Club will receive a $5,000 grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2006 Community Education Grant Program.The Spring Hill Garden Club was awarded the funds for the “Florida Native Plant Garden” project. This Florida-friendly landscape project will use all native plants and is an expansion of the cooperator’s previous efforts. More than 250,000 visitors will learn about the advantages of Florida-friendly landscaping. Volunteers… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum flows and levels (MFL) for the Middle Peace River from Zolfo Springs to Arcadia.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.A… Read more

The District uses an extensive combination of research and analysis when assessing aquifer water level changes and the impacts to the state's springs, rivers and wetlands. A computer model is one of those tools used in that research and analysis. The District uses porous media models to monitor and regulate groundwater withdrawals and the impacts to resources. Porous media models are mathematical representations of a groundwater system made up of sand, clay and… Read more

Governor Charlie Crist recently appointed Burton Eno and Alan Grubman to the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Withlacoochee River Basin Board(Withlacoochee River Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/withlacoochee.php.Eno is from Dunnellon in Marion County. He is a retired University of Central Florida professor, and has been appointed to succeed John "Jack" Dennis, for a term beginning Sept. 15, 2010, and ending… Read more

Two Manatee County projects expected to reach nearly 2,650 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 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to… Read more

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have below freezing temperatures tonight into Friday morning, Feb. 20.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps tonight.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops and… Read more

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have near freezing temperatures Saturday morning.This has prompted the "Southwest Florida Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ to advise residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps Friday night.During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops and fish farms,… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for selected Pasco County lakes.A public workshop will be held to discuss proposed levels for Crews Lake, Lake Iola, Jessamine Lake, Pasco Lake, Pierce Lake, and Unnamed Lake Number 22, known as Loyce Lake. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (U.S. Highway 41), Land O… Read more

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District Staff and approximately 70 childrenWhat:The District’s 10th Annual “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”Students between the ages of 9 and 18 will spend the day at the District Headquarters and Service Offices learning about activities at the District. At 9 a.m. staff will lead the kids through a water resources exercise. After completing the hands-on project, parents/… Read more

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week and while Florida residents are familiar with tropical storms and hurricanes, it doesn’t take a named storm to cause flooding.  Florida is vulnerable to flooding at any time of the year. Mostly surrounded by water, the abundant supply of moisture feeds the development of thunderstorms, which may produce heavy rains during a short period of time. When those heavy rains occur, the ground may not be able to absorb all of the… Read more