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A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast. Watersheds are defined by the way water flows across the land and are shaped by features and elevations on the surface of the land.The Withlacoochee River watershed covers approximately 2,100 square miles within eight counties — Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Polk and Sumter.… Read more

As the District’s General Counsel, Chris Tumminia provides advice and counsel to the District’s Governing Board, executive director and District staff regarding matters of law and policy. His primary areas of practice have included civil and administrative litigation, water use permitting, minimum flows and levels, and water supply planning. Tumminia also has represented the District in numerous proceedings before the State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings,… Read more

People who live next to water are lucky. Waterfront property is usually very expensive because we love to see the ocean, a lake or a river from our houses. Florida has a lot of water, so there are plenty of waterfront yards. Some yards are right next to the ocean, a big lake or a coastal lagoon. Some have canals that connect to the ocean or lakes. Others are along rivers, creeks, natural ponds or wetlands. Some yards include seasonal ponds, and many more are next to… Read more

The Weekiwachee Preserve is an area of protected land owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). Covering over 11,200 acres, the preserve is in Hernando County. It provides a wide array of wildlife habitats, including several miles along the Weeki Wachee River, portions of the Mud River, dense hardwood swamps, freshwater and saltwater marshes and pine-… Read more

Micro-irrigation, commonly referred to as “drip” or “low-volume” irrigation, emits a lower volume of water compared to traditional sprinkler heads. Micro-irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots and is recommended for plant bed areas or potted plants, as they require less water than turfgrass.Types of micro-irrigation include:BubblersIn-Line Drip TubingMicro-SpraysPoint Source Emitters  … Read more

Your Questions Answered April 2020 You may have noticed, we haven’t seen much rainfall around the District. Southwest Florida Water Management District Hydrologic Data Manager Granville Kinsman is our resident expert on hydrologic conditions and has details about our current rainfall pattern. Q:  What is the normal rainfall cycle in central Florida? A:  Rainfall is seasonal. Our rainy season is a four-month… Read more

Every year about 2.5 million people visit public conservation lands obtained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources.Balancing water needs.Protecting the environment. The District was created in 1961 by the Florida Legislature to protect the water resources of the region. The District includes roughly 10,000 square miles in all or part of 16 counties in west-central Florida that were home to a population… Read more

Your Questions Answered February 2019 Q:  Is there a rainy season and dry season in central Florida? A:  Yes, rainfall is seasonal. Our rainy season is a four-month period from June through September, with average rainfall of about 7.8 inches each month. About 60 percent of our average annual rainfall is received during that time. The higher rainfall results in rising water levels in wells, lakes, rivers and springs… Read more

One of the best places to take on actions that help protect water quality and conserve water resources is in your own yard. If you’re not allowed to or don’t have a yard, check in with your teachers to see if you and your friends can make positive changes right at school! Small changes outdoors can make a big difference in protecting Florida’s environment and keeping your local watershed healthy. The number of people moving to Florida is growing every… Read more

NATIVE plants are accustomed to growing in Florida without help from people. How do we “help” a big green lawn? We water it, mow it and use chemicals to feed it. We might use more chemicals to kill bugs and leafy plants as well. Using all that water and all those chemicals is bad for your watershed. You can reduce the need for water, FERTILIZER, … Read more

Check for Leaks Dripping showerheads can waste from 70 up to several hundred gallons of water a week, depending on the size of the drip. If the showerhead is leaking, make sure it is screwed tightly. Also, remember to check the washer for wear. If you need a new washer, you can get one at your local hardware store or from your plumber. Fix Leaks To fix a leaky showerhead, you need an adjustable wrench or pliers and joint sealer or tape. Follow these steps:… Read more

Check for leaks Water losses caused by dripping faucets can range from several gallons to hundreds of gallons of water per day. Check faucets regularly for leaks at the faucet head and seepage at the base and its connections. Fix leaks Whether a two-handled or a single-handled faucet, leaks are repaired by replacing washers and by tightening or repacking the faucet stem. Do-it-yourselfers can find a variety of repair kits in local home improvement and hardware… Read more

It is the intent of the District Governing Board that environmental criteria be implemented in a manner that achieves a goal of no net loss of wetlands or other surface water functions (unless otherwise exempted by statute or rule). (Condensed and modified from Environmental Resource Permit Information Manual, Part B – Basis of Review, Chapter Three – Environmental) Wetlands serve as spawning, nursery and feeding habitats for many species of fish and… Read more

Conservation Lands The region’s lands and waters are forever linked by Florida’s natural water cycles. Undeveloped land allows for water recharge to the aquifer and water storage during major storm events. Lands surrounding lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries also serve as natural buffers to filter out pollution before it reaches the nearest water body. The Southwest Florida Water Management District and other agencies and governments purchase… Read more

The beat of central Florida’s hydrologic heart lies between Tampa and Orlando in 560,000 acres of Florida backcountry called the Green Swamp. The Green Swamp includes portions of Polk, Lake, Sumter, Hernando and Pasco counties. Within these acres is a complex, integrated and delicate natural system composed of cypress swamps, hardwood forests, marshes, pine flatwoods and sandhills. Emerging from this precious oasis are the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha and… Read more

Where possible, launch facilities are provided for boaters on District lands. There are many recreational opportunities available on water bodies throughout the District including boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. All visitors taking part in water sports should keep safety first. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulates… Read more

As director of the Regulation Division, Alba Más oversees all District regulatory programs including water use, well construction and environmental resource permitting. This includes all related compliance and enforcement activities. Más also oversees the District’s water shortage and year-round water conservation programs.Prior to becoming division director, Más served for 14… Read more

Aquifers are underground layers of rock and sand that hold water. These layers are made up of loosely packed sediments and layers of calcium-rich limestone and dolomite. In Florida, most of the population depends on the Floridan aquifer for their drinking water. The Floridan aquifer, which is the largest and deepest aquifer in the state, holds groundwater like a sponge. Holes in the rock that make up the aquifer allow the water to move freely through it. Aquifers are… Read more

This Statement of Agency Organization and Operation (“Statement”) is issued and maintained as required by Sections 120.53 and 120.54, Florida Statutes (“F.S.”) and Chapter 28-101, Florida Administrative Code (“F.A.C.”). This Statement is intended to assist the public in understanding how the Southwest Florida Water Management District operates, how it is organized, and how to do business or interact with the District.Introduction: What is the Southwest… Read more