MOORE HAVEN, Fla.—Today, the South Florida Water Management District (District), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Glades County and many other state and local officials as well as stakeholders broke ground on the second phase of the Lake Hicpochee Project.

The Lake Hicpochee Project is part of the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program and will provide benefits including reducing harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, improving water quality and providing additional water storage capacity in the region.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) invites our partners, stakeholders and the public to provide comments on the District's Draft 2026-2031 Strategic Plan.

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

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla.– Governor Ron DeSantis marked the official groundbreaking of the Blue Shanty Flow Way project, an important milestone in Everglades restoration which will ensure that more water flows from the to-be-completed EAA Reservoir south into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) is expanding and enhancing access to environmental and water quality data throughout the District’s 16-county region. The new, interactive DBHydro Insights application makes it easy to access the District’s real-time monitoring network and other hydrologic, meteorologic, hydrogeologic and water quality data.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) is expanding and enhancing access to environmental and water quality data throughout the District’s 16-county region. The new, interactive DBHydro Insights application makes it easy to access the District’s real-time monitoring network and other hydrologic, meteorologic, hydrogeologic and water quality data.

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army have reached a landmark agreement that allows Florida to take the lead on key components of the federally funded Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), including the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration—the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.

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.