Kissimmee River Basin –
Water Reservations

Background

Ensuring the availability of water is a key component of environmental restoration and management affecting the Upper Chain of Lakes and the Kissimmee River and floodplain. Together, these remarkable Central Florida water bodies shelter 45 species of fish, 68 species of wetland-dependent birds, 24 species of reptiles and amphibians and mammals including the marsh rabbit, river otter and round-tailed muskrat. Ultimately, all of these species are as dependent on the water as they are on the success of other wildlife in their shared habitat.

To assure water for the protection of fish and wildlife within the Upper Chain of Lakes and restored Kissimmee River and floodplain, the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board began the development of rules to reserve water for those purposes in 2008. The District, State of Florida and the United States government have provided substantial support for restoration of these ecosystems. To date, $620 million has been invested in projects encompassing 19 lakes and 103 miles of river and floodplain. This accounts for 27,000 acres of wetland habitat critical to the protection of fish and wildlife, including endangered or threatened species. Reservations will guarantee that the water needed to keep these ecosystems thriving will not be allocated for consumptive use.

A water reservation is a legal mechanism to set aside water for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. When a water reservation is in place, volumes and timing of water at specific locations are protected for the natural system ahead of consumptive uses such as new development.

This web site has been established to provide information to the public regarding water reservation development, including meeting schedules and notices, technical analysis and reports, presentations and draft rule language.