HENDRY COUNTY, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis marked the official opening of the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir, one of the most significant Everglades restoration projects in Florida history. Joined by state, local, and environmental leaders, Governor DeSantis celebrated the completion of the 10,000-acre reservoir that will improve water quality, protect coastal ecosystems, and expand Florida’s water storage capacity.

Today, South Florida Water Management District (District) Chairman Chauncey Goss released the following statement regarding the signing of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 by Governor Ron DeSantis:

Are you looking to help raise awareness about nonnative species and remove invasive Burmese pythons from our treasured Everglades ecosystem? Register for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™!

The event is hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District. An exciting addition to this year’s event is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge™ competition locations.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - In order to continue to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, the South Florida Water Management District (District) issued a Water Shortage Order imposing Modified Phase IV Water Shortage restrictions in a designated area of Northeastern Cape Coral in Lee County for residents and businesses that use private wells for irrigation. This restriction does not apply to homes and businesses on city water.  

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - In order to continue to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, the South Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board authorized the District's Executive Director to issue a Water Shortage Order imposing Modified Phase IV Water Shortage restrictions if/when the water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer decline below the "future action level" of -93.01 feet for two consecutive weeks. As of April 9, 2025, the water level at the USGS Monitoring Well L-4820 in the water shortage area is at -91.68 feet. 

The South Florida Water Management District (District) today released the 2025 South Florida Environmental Report (SFER) underscoring the continued progress for Everglades restoration and water quality across Central and Southern Florida.

The annual SFER report highlights record hydration and improvement of water quality, momentum for sending more water south, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings of major Everglades restoration projects, and many other important milestones for the resiliency of the region’s water resources and ecosystems.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) is still accepting applications for cost-share projects to develop alternative water supplies (AWS), including water conservation!

Today, South Florida Water Management District Chair Chauncey Goss released the following statement regarding Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to the Florida Legislature.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers updated the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Science Plan to continue addressing uncertainties identified in the National Research Council's review of the ASR Regional Study Final Technical Data Report.

Read the final document:

Osceola County, FL - Today, the South Florida Water Management District joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Garcia Land Management, LLC and many other local, state and federal partners to celebrate the completion of a new dispersed water management project in Osceola County.