The headwaters of the Kissimmee River – and the greater Everglades ecosystem – begin in Orlando and include lakes and tributaries in portions of Orange, Osceola and Polk counties. The Orlando area also marks the intersection of the South Florida, Southwest Florida and St. Johns River water management districts, creating an opportunity for water supply coordination in Central Florida among the three agencies.
The Orlando Service Center offers local assistance with Environmental Resource and Consumptive Water Use permitting while providing regulatory oversight for parts of Orange, Osceola and Polk counties. Outreach and Intergovernmental Representatives develop partnerships with local governments and drainage districts, utilities, community groups and other stakeholders in these counties and create a better understanding of local water resource issues through outreach and education activities.
ADDRESS
Orlando Service Center 1707 Orlando Central Parkway, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32809
(407) 858-6100
(800) 250-4250
Fax: (407) 858-6121 Google Map Map [PDF]
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS
Daniel O'Keefe, an appointee representing areas including Orange, Osceola and Polk counties
Joe Collins, Chairman and an at-large appointee representing areas including Orange, Osceola and Polk counties
Task Force and Coordination Teams
Kissimmee Regional Issues Coordination Initiative: The South Florida Water Management District is committed to providing the necessary resources and management involvement to ensure coordination and oversight of the multiple, ongoing water-related projects and initiatives in the Kissimmee region, which includes the Kissimmee River and floodplain (Lower Basin) and the Chain of Lakes (Upper Basin). more »
Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI): A collaboration of the South Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and Southwest Florida Water Management District to address short- and long-term development of water supplies in the Central Florida region.
Kissimmee Basin Water Reservations: To assure water will be available for the protection of fish and wildlife within the Chain of Lakes and restored Kissimmee River and floodplain, the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board initiated the development of rulemaking to reserve water for that purpose.
Kissimmee Basin Modeling and Operations Study (KBMOS): The goal of KBMOS is to assess how operating criteria for existing water control structures can be modified to achieve a better balance among flood control, water supply, aquatic plant management, natural resources and Lake Okeechobee objectives.
Kissimmee River Restoration Construction Projects: The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of completing numerous construction projects. These include backfilling sections of the C-38 Canal, oxbow excavation, levee removal, water control structure improvements and other conveyance improvements for the purpose of restoring flow to the historic river channel and floodplain.
Lake Okeechobee Protection Plan (LOPP) – The Plan is reviewed and updated every three years to evaluate if further phosphorus load reductions are necessary to achieve compliance with the lake's Total Maximum Daily Load by 2015. The 2008 version is currently being updated for issuance of the 2011 version of the Plan. Stormwater from the Kissimmee Upper and Lower Basins has a major effect on the water quality of Lake Okeechobee. more »
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council: Discusses regional issues, develops strategic responses and builds consensus for setting and accomplishing regional goals.
Osceola County Horticulture and Natural Resources Advisory Committee: Advises University of Florida, IFAS County Extension Office staff on activities and tasks related to natural resource and horticulture education and outreach.
Central Florida Regional Water Strategy Steering Committee: Formulates regional water strategies for Central Florida that address supply, demand and conservation.
Leadership Osceola County Alumni: Network of private, public and non-profit contacts used to deliver District messaging.
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Aquatic Plant Management Interagency Team: Studies and schedules aquatic plant management strategies on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
Careers
