Governor Ron DeSantis Attends Ribbon Cutting of First Everglades Agricultural Area Stormwater Treatment Area Cell

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis attended a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the filling of the first cell of the 6,500-acre Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Stormwater Treatment Area, which will store and clean water flowing from Lake Okeechobee before it is sent south. The EAA Reservoir is the crown jewel of Everglades restoration, and will help move water south which nourishes the Everglades, replenishes Florida’s aquifers and supports the Florida Bay. Additionally, the reservoir will help to reduce harmful discharges to the St.

SFWMD and Officials Celebrate Pump Station Completion for Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir

HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) joined federal, state and local officials to celebrate the completion of a new pump station for the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir Project in Hendry County. The massive pump station will move water from the Caloosahatchee River (C-43 Canal) into an 18-square-mile reservoir and reduce harmful flows of water from reaching the downstream Caloosahatchee Estuary. The reservoir is expected to begin initial operations in 2025.

SFWMD Governing Board Approves Final Contract to Complete Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands (BBCW) Project

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today unanimously approved the final construction contract for the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands (BBCW) Project in Miami-Dade County. This key restoration effort for Biscayne Bay is one of several Everglades restoration projects prioritized by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

APPLY NOW: Funding Opportunity for Alternative Water Supply and Water Conservation Projects

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is now accepting applications for cost-share projects to develop alternative water supplies (AWS)! This initiative is part of the State of Florida’s continuing efforts to implement cost-effective strategies to conserve its precious water resources while meeting the state's water needs.

SFWMD Issues Water Shortage Order for Northeastern Portion of Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - In order to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) declared a water shortage and issued mandatory irrigation restrictions today for a portion of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County. Landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week in the designated area for irrigation water supplied by private wells.

Seeking Public Input on the SFWMD's Draft 2024-2029 Strategic Plan

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is encouraging our partners, stakeholders and the public to provide comments on the SFWMD's Draft 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.

The plan serves as a blueprint for achieving balanced regional water resource management. The SFWMD updates the Strategic Plan annually to highlight its work to continue advancing Everglades restoration, protecting communities from flooding, meeting the region’s water needs, and engaging the public and stakeholders over the next five years.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced the winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge®. This year, Florida had 1,050 participants from 35 states and Belgium remove 209 Burmese pythons from South Florida during the 10-day competition created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. This year’s winner removed 20 Burmese pythons, taking home a $10,000 ultimate grand prize.

SFWMD-Managed Lands Temporarily Closing in Preparation of Hurricane Idalia

 

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is temporarily closing SFWMD-managed lands in Collier, Lee and Polk counties today, Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 12 p.m. (noon) in preparation of Hurricane Idalia. All other SFWMD-managed lands remain open for public access at this time. 

Closed lands are expected to re-open as conditions warrant after the storm passes the region.