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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $104,941.81 in grants to 48 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12. Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through… Read more

Each year the District generates population projections for the 16 counties wholly or partially under its jurisdiction.InstructionsSection C-1GIS model population projections by county, utility and public supply service area Section C-2GIS model parcel-level population projectionsThese parcel-level projections, combined with any GIS boundary, can be used to develop population projections for any given area. (All files .zip).•… Read more

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed William Hogarth and Johnnie Hall to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board. Governor DeSantis reappointed Paul “Jack” Bispham who has served on the Governing Board since 2019. Hogarth represents Pinellas County, Hall represents Polk County and Bispham represents Manatee County. Hogarth, of Treasure Island, is the former director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography at the University of South… Read more

Florida’s coastal ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world. At the heart of these ecosystems is seagrass—a vital underwater plant that supports marine life, improves water quality, protects shorelines and stores carbon.Since 1988, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has mapped seagrass to help guide decisions that protect and sustain our bays, estuaries and coastal waters. But how exactly is seagrass mapped and why is it important? The… Read more

Left: Donna Holdrege, District administrative supervisor, left, and Mary Torrusio, District senior communications coordinator, second from left, demonstrate a watershed model to students. Right: Dan Wolthuis, District senior heavy equipment operator, talks to students and parents about prescribed fire. Parents marked the District’s 15th annual celebration of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 18 by bringing their children for tours of District… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will participate in a joint workshop with St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts, on the draft 2024 minimum flows and levels (MFLs) priority list and schedule. This workshop is an opportunity to solicit stakeholder input on each district’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations.Microsoft TEAMS meeting Link:… Read more

The Green Swamp is recognized by the state of Florida for its ecological and hydrological importance. There are several unique characteristics of the area. The Green Swamp can store surface water and slow the flow of floodwaters while sustaining rivers and streams. Its relatively high elevation, together with a shallow depth to the aquifer, keeps water levels high. The water table for much of the year stands above the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer, providing… Read more