South Florida Water Management District (District) Executive Director Drew Bartlett provided an update today from the District's Emergency Operations Center on Hurricane Milton. 

Hurricane Milton is a powerful hurricane, and the storm is expected to bring significant rainfall, storm surge, strong winds and tornadoes to the region. Rainfall from the storm is expected to result in a significant and rapid rise in canals, lakes, ponds and rivers throughout the District.

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is temporarily closing navigational locks in preparation of Hurricane Milton. 

The following locks are closing at the end of operating hours today, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 and will reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024 for their normal operating hours, depending on conditions. 

SFWMD Navigation Locks on Lake Okeechobee

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will temporarily close all SFWMD-managed lands today, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in preparation for Hurricane Milton.

Read the Emergency Order. 

All SFWMD-managed lands are expected to re-open at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) operates the regional water management system and implemented pre-storm preparations in anticipation of potentially heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton. The District will continue to actively monitor, manage and adjust our primary water management system throughout the entire rain event. 

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) reopened all of our navigational boat locks for public access today, Friday, September 27, 2024. 

SFWMD Navigation Locks on Lake Okeechobee

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) reopened all SFWMD-managed lands for public access today, Friday, September 27, 2024. 

To get the latest information on recreation, please visit SFWMD.gov/Recreation and follow SFWMD on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is temporarily closing navigational locks in preparation of Hurricane Helene. 

The following locks are closing at the end of operating hours today, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 and will reopen on Friday, September 27, 2024 for their normal operating hours. 

SFWMD Navigation Locks on Lake Okeechobee

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will temporarily close all SFWMD-managed lands today, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. in preparation for Hurricane Helene.

Read the Emergency Order. 

All SFWMD-managed lands are expected to re-open at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Osceola County, FL - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), joined many local, state and federal partners to celebrate the completion of a water storage project in Osceola County. 

Ochopee, Fla. - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Jacksonville District (USACE), Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and many other federal, state, and local partners to celebrate the groundbreaking for the first major feature of the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP), the L-28 South Culverts, which will support Everglades restoration.