All SFWMD-Managed Lands Will Temporarily Close Tonight in Preparation for Hurricane Helene

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.

SFWMD and USACE Break Ground on First Major Feature of Western Everglades Restoration Project

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. 

SFWMD and USACE Celebrate Major Milestone for Key Everglades Restoration Project in Southwest, FL

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) along with many state officials and stakeholders celebrated the completion of an important component of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project in Southwest, Florida.

The plugging of a major canal is now complete, marking another milestone on this project.  

SFWMD Issues Temporary Burn Ban on District Lands in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands and Polk Counties

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has issued a temporary burn ban on District lands in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands and Polk Counties due to dry conditions and the imminent danger of wildfires in the region.

Read Emergency Order 2024-030.

The temporary burn ban includes the building or maintaining of fires for recreational purposes on District lands.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Registration Is Open for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge®

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Today, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced that registration for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge® is now open. Participants this year will have the chance to win a share of more than $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive Burmese pythons from the wild. Starting today, those interested in participating in the 2024 Florida Python Challenge® can complete the required online training to compete in the 10-day competition which runs August 9–18, 2024. The competition is open to both professional and novice participants.

SFWMD Celebrates Ribbon Cutting to Support Everglades Restoration and Mitigate Flooding

Miami-Dade County, Fla. - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined local, state, federal and tribal officials as well as stakeholders to cut the ribbon on the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) New Water Seepage Barrier Wall Project, which extends the successful underground wall that was built as part of the 8.5 Square Mile Area Seepage Wall Project.