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This project enhanced 315 acres of wetlands and uplands within the Tampa Bay watershed.Project Information 

• Sawgrass Lake Park is more than 300 acres and is located in Pinellas County.
• The property is owned by the District and managed by Pinellas County.
• The lake and wetland system on the property provide flood protection and natural water treatment to enhance the quality of water draining into Tampa Bay.
• Nonnative and invasive vegetation…

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The purpose of the Green Industry Advisory Committee (GIAC) is to provide professional and technical input into District programs and activities. This includes regulatory programs, rule revisions, water conservation activities, water resource planning, water resource and supply development projects, research and other water resource management projects that relate to the Green Industry. Subject matter considered by the GIAC shall relate to the statutory duties and… Read more

Brian Armstrong was appointed as the executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District in June 2016.Armstrong had previously served as the District’s assistant executive director where he provided daily oversight of three Divisions and more than 400 staff. As the assistant executive director, Armstrong introduced Six Sigma principles to the District creating a program to successfully reduce waste and unnecessary processes, saving money and time;… Read more

The District emphasizes scientific and technical excellence along with providing high quality service to the residents of our region. For the past 60 years, the District’s greatest asset has been our staff who have dedicated their professional careers to meeting the District’s mission of protecting water resources, minimizing flood risks, and ensuring the publics water needs are met. District functions are organized into divisions, but staff use extensive teamwork and… Read more

The District encourages water conservation by partnering with local governments and utilities to provide landscape and irrigation efficiency programs. A certified irrigation professional will evaluate your landscape or irrigation system and provide a list of recommendations to improve efficiency. To find out more information, please contact one of the following participating programs in your area. City of St. Petersburg (727) 892-5688 … Read more

Part of being a water superhero means fighting off the villains that threaten our water resources. That includes invasive plants that creep in and take over natural water habitats. What Makes a Plant Invasive? Invasive plants are non-native species that have been brought to Florida from around the world. Some non-native plants are harmless, but others can reproduce and spread rapidly, pushing out native plants and wildlife. When non-native plants… Read more

The Governing Board has the statutory authority to issue emergency and non-emergency orders to apprise the public of the need to protect water supplies for: public health, safety and welfare; health of animals or aquatic life; a public water supply; or other reasonable uses.The executive director has the statutory authority to issue emergency orders when immediate action is necessary. Emergency orders are subsequently presented to the… Read more

The initiative was designed to better understand the dynamics of the river and watershed, identify how alterations have affected the system, and evaluate alternatives to better manage the water resources. STATUS UPDATE: A peer review of the Withlacoochee River Model was completed in 2020. This peer review concluded that the model results and conclusions are accurate and can be relied upon for resource management and understanding of this complex river… Read more

Blackwater streams and rivers originate in swampy areas and get their names because the water that flows through them is stained dark brown, like the color of tea, by organic acids. This staining gives the appearance of "black" water. Some examples of blackwater rivers in the District include the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee and Pithlachascotee rivers. Some of the animals you will find in blackwater streams and rivers include alligators, river otters, bluegills, snapping… Read more

 In 1539, the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto made his first New World landfall at the mouth of the Manatee River, where the fresh water of the river flows into the salt waters of Tampa Bay.Imagine the Spaniard’s amazement when he saw the giant wading birds and tangles of mangroves bordering the Manatee River. Braving the mosquitoes, no-see-’ums and snakes, de Soto and his army set up a campsite near a lush mangrove swamp, which visitors can still see today as… Read more

Join our dedicated staff and make working for our water resources your life’s work too!When you choose a career at the District, you’re joining a team that supports a vital mission to protect Florida’s water resources while working in a supportive culture and receiving extensive benefits. Our employees take pride in their work and receive the necessary resources to make them a success. Staff have access to numerous opportunities to grow and excel. And the caliber of… Read more

Welcome to the WaterMatters Blog. This blog is a chronicle of news, issues and events happening at the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Read more

The following fact sheets provide information about District programs and projects.  District Water Control Structures   Read more

The Homosassa River is another spring fed river beginning at Homosassa Springs. This short, slow-moving tidal river flows eight miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of America in Citrus County.The river is a mixture of fresh water from the headsprings and salt water from the Gulf of America. The tidal influence makes the river home to both freshwater and saltwater fish. Some of the freshwater fish you'll find in the Homosassa River include Bluegill,… Read more

The following is a link to a webpage from the United States Environmental Protection Agency that provides guidance of what to do with a flooded water well:  https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/what-do-your-private-well-after-flood 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 District is reevaluating the established minimum flow for the Homosassa river/spring system. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Overview Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District 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… Read more

The District is reevaluating the established minimum flow for the Chassahowitzka river/spring system. Minimum flows are established to help protect the system from significant harm caused by ground and surface water withdrawals. Overview Minimum flows and levels are limits established by the District 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… Read more

Cockroach BayThe Cockroach Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project represents one of the largest, most complex coastal ecosystem restoration projects ever completed for the Tampa Bay estuarine ecosystem.The land suffered from a number of environmental problems including habitat degradation, invasive plant infestation and poor water quality. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), Hillsborough County, the Tampa Port Authority and many other agencies and… Read more

Updated February 2025Section 373.036, F.S. requires the water management districts to prepare a "Consolidated Water Management District Annual Report” consisting of several reporting documents that had historically been submitted separately. The legislation requires the consolidated report to be submitted by March 1 of each year to the Governor, DEP, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In addition, copies must be provided, “… to the… Read more