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Unlike the clear, cool waters of the Springs Coast Watershed's spring-fed rivers, the Pithlachascotee is a blackwater stream that is more than 20 miles long and originates in the Crews Lake area of Pasco County. Along with the Anclote River, the locally nicknamed "Cotee" River crosses the District's Starkey Wilderness Park and meanders through Pasco County. It… 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, gator and shark attacks are rare, 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 for millions of… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District manages lands under its stewardship for the protection of water resources and natural systems through the application of effective, efficient and fiscally responsible land management practices. The purposes and attributes for which the lands were acquired provide the foundation for designating the appropriate land use and management strategies on the lands. As stewards of more than 343,000 acres of land within the its 16-county… Read more
Have you ever seen a bald eagle in flight or watched a group of river otters playing in the water? These are just a few of the creatures you may see walking along one of the trails at Oscar Scherer State Park, which offers 1,400 acres for visitors to explore and experience the real Florida.The area includes two special plant upland communities of pine… Read more
Osprey »
The osprey, or sea eagle, is a large bird of prey that is commonly seen circling above lakes, rivers, streams and ponds, or perched on dead trees (also known as "snags") or telephone poles. It is almost the size of an eagle and is dark brown with a white head and a brown mask from the eyes down to the cheeks. It also has a white and brown breast and underside. The osprey has large talons that allow it to "fish" by diving down and gripping onto fish. Additionally, the… Read more
The history of the Withlacoochee River watershed is important because it is still being impacted by how people used the land as far back as the 1800s.Awareness of the river grew around the 1830s and 40s, during the 2nd Seminole War. During the war, shallow-draft steamers were used to transport materials and men on the river. Then, the late 1800s brought several booming industries to the area, including phosphate, timber and produce… Read more
View Land Currently for Sale »The District has parcels for sale as part of its surplus lands program. Many of these parcels will be sold “as-is,” and others will be sold with the District retaining a conservation easement with certain restrictions. If you are interested in purchasing one or more of these parcels, contact the District’s Real Estate Section at (352) 796-7211.Why Does the… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District manages controlled burns on its lands. Which are carefully planned burns used to manage forests. These controlled fires reduce wildfire risks by reducing excess vegetation, improving wildlife habitats and promoting new plant growth. The District ensures safety and efficiency in these operations, balancing ecological benefits with public safety. Fire in FloridaFire is one of the dominant forces that shape… Read more
The 7.5 mile-long Weeki Wachee River is another spring-fed river on the Springs Coast. Its headwater is Weeki Wachee Springs, one of Florida’s legendary roadside attractions where tourists, including Elvis Presley, have been coming to see the famous live mermaids in the underwater theater since the 1940s. The headsprings and surrounding land are now owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and managed by the Florida Park Service as Weeki Wachee Springs State… Read more
March 14, 2025The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is committed to providing a website accessible to the public, regardless of disability. To further this commitment, the District uses a web scanning service to assist with website accessibility and optimization. The District follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, level AA technical standard, and is currently working toward achieving… Read more
As bureau chief of the Engineering & Project Management (EPM) Bureau at the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Scott Letasi is responsible for the District’s cooperative funding initiative program and District initiatives projects specifically related to the District’s flood protection area of responsibility. The EPM Bureau develops surface water models in the Watershed Management Program and implements the District’s Structures Capital Improvement Program… Read more
Mission StatementOur mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met.Core Values
- Service Excellence
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Self Management
- Professional Integrity
- Professional and Technical Excellence
As bureau chief of Information Technology, Tom Hughes is responsible for leading and managing the District’s Information Technology Bureau. The bureau works closely with internal and external customers to provide a comprehensive set of information technology services that support the District’s mission to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. These activities include the management of the hardware, software and data that… Read more
Southwest Florida Water Management District
- Springs in West-Central Florida
- Recreation on District Land
- Lower Floridan Aquifer Exploration
- Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs)
- …
The District is initiating an update to its Land Use Rules to allow for improved efficiency, protection of its resources and uniformity among other water management districts.
A virtual workshop will be held Tuesday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. Find out more »
The District will be accepting public comment below on the draft Land Use Rules
update through December 7.… Read more
Manatees »
Springs are the most important wintering site for threatened manatees on Florida’s West Coast, as they provide thermal refuge when the Gulf of America’s temperature drops below 68 degrees. The springs in Kings Bay remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round. At colder temperatures, manatees may suffer from cold stress or hypothermia as they do not have a thick layer of blubber for protection. If cold weather persists, manatees may not leave the warmth of the springs for days… Read more
Camping »
Whether you enjoy camping with modern amenities or you prefer to camp in the backcountry, the beauty of Florida’s wilderness is waiting to be experienced.Types of Camping on the DistrictPrimitive Camp AreasPrimitive campsites are provided for campers with tents. Only personal vehicles are allowed in the campsites. Primitive campsites are generally equipped with picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills and usually have portable toilets available for use by campers. Campsites… Read more
Every day the invasion continues. People are mostly to blame — we import plants from all over the world, planting them here in Florida. It might be because we think they’re useful, or maybe we just think a plant is pretty. Because these plants are new on the scene, Florida’s environment isn’t used to them.
Some plants can’t adapt to their new surroundings so they die off. Many new plants grow, but stay right where we put them. But some new plants love it here — they go to… Read more