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The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the City of Winter Haven to improve water quality in Lake Howard by treating stormwater runoff that flows into the lake.Lake Howard is a 628-acre lake located west of downtown Winter Haven and is one of 16 interconnected lakes known as the Southern Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, which is a State Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Priority Water Body.During the past 10 years, the water quality in Lake…

The Southwest Florida Management District and Sarasota County are working together on a project that will improve water quality by treating stormwater runoff within the Hudson Bayou watershed.The project involves constructing a water quality treatment system, which will treat stormwater runoff by removing nutrients and sediment from the runoff before it is discharged into the Alderman Street ditch canal system. The treated stormwater makes its way from the canal system…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water lettuce on the Rainbow River February 28 March 3. Infestations of water lettuce from the Rainbow River State park to the Withlacoochee River in Marion County will be treated.Treatment involves using the aquatic herbicide Reward. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable restrictions. Restrictions on Reward include no livestock watering for one day, no…

Hotels and motels in Manatee and Sarasota counties now have the opportunity to participate in a successful water conservation program known as Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.)As part of the program, the Southwest Florida Water Management District invites hotel and motel owners, operators and management to participate in a “linens and towels reuse program.” The District supplies printed materials for guest rooms and educational…

A DeSoto County farm is the place to be to learn about water conservation and other environmentally friendly practices this April. Members of the public are invited to tour Natures Way Aquatic Farm April 27-28 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and April 29 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.Natures Way Aquatic Farm, which is located at 4899 N.W. Highway 72 in Arcadia, is an 11.5-acre environmentally friendly farm that raises edible and ornamental fish, water garden plants, wetlands…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Safety Harbor recently signed an agreement for a project to prevent erosion and improve water quality within the Mullet Creek watershed.The watershed covers approximately one square mile within the city and includes the Lincoln Highlands subdivision and the Harbor Lake industrial park. The work will begin at Harbor Lake and extend downstream to the 9th Avenue North crossing.During the past 50 years, development…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to extend one-day-per-week watering restrictions again for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties until Dec. 31 due to ongoing efforts to refill the regional reservoir.Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla…

The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.”  During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for…

More water will be available to fill up Tampa Bay Water’s C.W. “Bill” Young Reservoir as a result of two executive orders,Order No. SWF 07-042 andOrder No. SWF 07-043, signed today by David L. Moore, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The orders allow wholesale water…

In an effort to continue to improve water clarity in Lake Panasoffkee, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is temporarily lowering the lake level by operating the Wysong-Coogler Water Conservation Structure.The District is in the process of dredging approximately 8.4 million cubic yards of sediment from the lake to improve fish habitat, restore the historic lake shoreline and improve navigation.However, the process of dredging the sediment is also removing…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Chris Dewey for his work as the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Builders/Developers Outreach coordinator in Pasco County at a ceremony that recognized outstanding water resources education programs and projects. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.Dewey has created a unique and beneficial working…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two Pasco County educators for their outstanding water resources education projects. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.

• J.D. Durham, a Moore-Mickens Education Center teacher, was recognized for her “Florida-friendly Landscapes and Promotions” project. Students enrolled in the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be performing tests and possible maintenance on its P-5 water control structure during the next ten days. The structure is the outfall for Lake Henry, which discharges into Lake Hamilton in Polk County.A routine inspection showed some seepage, indicating the structure may require some repairs. Upcoming tests will determine if any part of the structure needs to be repaired or replaced.“These testing procedures will help…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing one of its Watershed Wonders Week activities to the Willow Art Gallery’s Front Porch Florida Event, Saturday, Oct. 16. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.World Water Monitoring Day is a part of the Watershed Wonders Week campaign, which is aimed at making the residents of the Brooker Creek watershed aware of the importance of protecting their watershed. Watershed Wonders Week is Oct. 1623.One of the…

 Just like a great workout strengthens your body, your lawn can benefit from a little training to become healthier and more resilient. This winter, help your lawn build its “water muscles” by skipping a week between irrigation sessions. Cooler temperatures mean your grass naturally requires less water and this seasonal adjustment can save you time, money and resources.  Why Should You Train Your Lawn?When you reduce watering during the winter…

The Southwest Florida Management District, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Town of Dundee are moving forward on a project that will improve water quality by treating stormwater runoff within the Ridge Lakes watershed.The goal of this multi-year project is to design, permit and construct stormwater treatment systems for 10 lakes located within the Lake Wales Ridge, Polk and Highlands counties.This phase of the project is based on the results of a study…

The Southwest Florida Management District and Hillsborough County are working together on a project that will improve water quality in the Tampa Bay watershed.The goal of this project is to reduce the amount of phosphorus, nitrogen and other pollutants in Cedar Lake East by building stormwater treatment systems within three interconnected ponds at Jean Park that drain directly into Cedar Lake East, and ultimately to Tampa Bay. Jean Park is located in the Forest Hills…

A shallow well rebate program funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Manatee County will conserve potable water by converting existing irrigation systems to shallow well systems, which draw water from the surficial or intermediate aquifers.The program will provide rebates to homeowners and business owners who currently use potable water for irrigation and live in western unincorporated Manatee County or the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and…

Top: Hange, his coworkers and family pose for a picture after participating in a volunteer planting at Newman Branch Creek. Hange is on the left. Others pictured include Brian Townsend, equipment operator; Randy Hinkle, field operations coordinator; Danielle Hange, Adam’s daughter; and Karen Hange, Adam’s wife. Bottom: Hange and his daughter working together to plant marsh grass. Adam Hange, a District senior heavy equipment operator, may work with machines that…

Polk county residents and families are invited to attend Water, Wings & Wild Things at Circle B Bar Reserve this Halloween. The free, annual event takes place Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Water, Wings & Wild Things features more than 40 exhibitors providing fun opportunities to learn about the area’s nature and conservation efforts, including planting with native plants, water conservation and litter prevention.The Southwest Florida Water Management…