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Fertilizer is like food for plants. It comes in a variety of forms, like compost, liquids and pellets. For lawns, most people use chemical fertilizers, and a lot of people use too much. If you have grass, you want to use just the right amount of fertilizer so your lawn is healthy. However, more isn’t better! Too much fertilizer can:

1. Make pests more pesty.
2. Cause your lawn to grow too quickly.
3. Make your lawn even thirstier.
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This program allows local governments and private entities to share costs for projects that assist in creating sustainable water resources, provide flood protection and enhance conservation efforts. State Funding OpportunitiesAll cooperators are encouraged to apply for state funding for projects by using the links below.  State Funding… Read more

NOTICE: Effective July 1, 2014, a person may not lobby a water management district in Florida until such person has registered as a lobbyist with that district by filing a registration form. Pursuant to Section 112.3261, Florida Statutes, starting July 1, 2014, a person may not lobby a… Read more

This project helped develop techniques to control algae and restore aquatic plants in the lower portion of the Rainbow River.BackgroundIn the lower portions of the Rainbow River, native aquatic vegetation may be decreasing while various types of algae, such as filamentous macroalgae (Lyngbya) and phytoplankton, may be increasing. An increase in algae downstream is typical in most rivers as the river’s velocity — the speed at which water flows — decreases and water… Read more

Overview Applicants will be asked to break this down in more detail in the application. Students will learn about local freshwater ecosystems in west-central Florida, with a focus on our magnificent springs. After an introductory lesson on habitats and ecosystems, students will dive deeper to learn about springs, the wildlife they support and their connection to the aquifer below. As part of their exploration, students will complete the… Read more

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has published the Florida Statewide Annual Report on Total Maximum Daily Loads, Basin Management Action Plans, Minimum Flows or Minimum Water Levels, and Recovery or Prevention Strategies on its website pursuant to section 403.0675, F.S. This report includes the status of protection and restoration actions through total maximum daily loads, basin management action plans, minimum flows or minimum water levels, and recovery or… Read more

As Data Collection bureau chief, Sandie Will is responsible for overseeing the Geohydrologic Data; Hydrologic Data; the Water Quality Monitoring Program; and Mapping/GIS sections. Activities conducted in these sections include coring; well construction; aquifer performance testing; water level and atmospheric data collection; groundwater and surface water quality sampling; land surveying; laboratory analyses; geospatial data… Read more

Fresh water from the Peace River watershed is essential to the health of the Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in Florida. The watersheds of the Myakka and Caloosahatchee rivers also feed into the harbor. An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water where fresh water from rivers and streams flows into the ocean. The Charlotte Harbor estuary is 30 miles long by seven miles wide and boasts 219 miles of shoreline.… Read more

Michelle Hopkins is a water resources engineer with more than 30 years of experience in both the private and public sector. As director of the Regulation Division, Hopkins oversees the District’s permitting and compliance sections that support the Environmental Resource Permit, Water Use Permit and Well Construction Permit programs. She is also responsible for overseeing the… Read more

There aren’t many big predators walking around in Florida. Wolves are gone, bears are rare and panthers are nearly extinct. But in the water, it’s different. Florida’s fresh water has alligators and crocodiles — big toothy reptiles. In the ocean there are sharks — big toothy fish. Of course, hardly anyone gets bitten by gators or sharks, but it happens enough to make us all a bit nervous. It’s great to be able to share the state with animals that have been living here… Read more

Stay Informed on Prescribed BurnsConducted by the Southwest Florida Water Management DistrictSign up for email and/or SMS alerts about scheduled prescribed burns in your selected region. Enter your contact details below and stay up to date! 🔒 Your information is secure and will only be used for notifications.

Most people can only imagine what an aquifer is, since the water lies hidden underground. Here in Florida, you can visit an aquifer! How do you visit an underground water supply? Grab some scuba gear and go cave diving in Florida’s springs. Of course, it’s not that simple. Cave diving requires expensive equipment, plenty of knowledge and special skills. Even then it can be dangerous.… Read more

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTIN RE:EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION FORREPAIRS, REPLACEMENT,RESTORATION, AND CERTAINOTHER MEASURES MADE NECESSARYBY TOPICAL DEPRESSION 4_____________________________________EMERGENCY ORDER NO. SWF 24-022Under the authority of Sections 120.569(2)(n), 252.36, 252.46, and 373.119(2),Florida Statutes (“F.S.”), and upon consideration of State of Florida Executive Order No. 24-156, and the following findings of fact, the… Read more

 A bay is a shallow body of salt water between a larger barrier island and the mainland. A barrier island is a long, narrow sandy island parallel to the shore. Palma Sola Bay is located between the barrier island of Anna Maria and the city of Bradenton.In the 1880s, a fishing village called “Cortez” was formed here and was bustling with fishermen. It's one of the last commercial fishing villages in Florida and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tarpon,… Read more

This project restored shoreline habitat to improve water quality in Kings Bay. Project Overview The District restored the shoreline around Hunter Springs Park. The City of Crystal River has integrated this District project into the redesign of the park.  The restored shoreline will benefit the Crystal River/Kings Bay spring system by creating habitat and improving water quality through reducing erosion and nutrients entering Kings Bay. Background… Read more

Minimizing flood risks is an important part of the mission of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The District and local governments work together to minimize flooding impacts, protect personal property and assist flood victims during and after storm events.  Flooding from a storm or natural disaster If you are experiencing flooding, your first contact should be your local government.… Read more

About the Watershed Management ProgramThe District takes a watershed approach to managing water and water-related resources within its boundaries. By doing so, all the characteristics of each watershed can be evaluated to reflect the real, interconnected nature of Florida’s water resources. This increases the District’s ability to clearly identify, prioritize and address issues related to the area’s water resources. The Watershed Management Program provides a method to… Read more

The District preserves hundreds of miles of freshwater shoreline along many of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in the region.Fishing is allowed along the banks of District water bodies and by boat unless an area is posted closed to fishing. All fishing on District lands is subject to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission license requirements and regulations.How to contact… Read more

The District is scheduled to adopt minimum flows for the Little Manatee River. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals.OverviewMinimum flows and levels (MFLs) are limits established by the District’s Governing Board for surface waters and groundwater that are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or ecology of an area that may be caused by water withdrawals. The… Read more