HENDRY COUNTY, Fla.  - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (District) along with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Seminole Tribe of Florida, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and many other local, state and federal officials, celebrated the completion of construction on the C-139 Flow Equalization Basin Project, which means that the construction phase of the Everglades Restoration Strategies Project is complete!

CLEWISTON, Fla. - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (District) joined many local, state and federal partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Clewiston Field Station in Hendry County. The Clewiston Field Station is relocating to a hardened 80,000 square-foot facility to consolidate and centrally locate District operations in support of existing infrastructure as well as new ecosystem infrastructure.

The South Florida Water Management District (District) is encouraging our partners, stakeholders and the public to provide written comments on the Draft Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Science Plan Version 2.

The District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers updated the ASR Science Plan to continue addressing uncertainties identified in the National Research Council's review of the ASR Regional Study Final Technical Data Report.

Read the draft document:

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

District Actions

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will reopen all of our navigational boat locks for public access tomorrow, Friday, October 11, 2024. 

SFWMD Navigation Locks on Lake Okeechobee

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will reopen all SFWMD-managed lands for public access at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, October 11, 2024. 

Some lands may have campgrounds and interior vehicle access roads that are temporarily closed. Please check what is open/closed before you arrive. Email specialuselicense@sfwmd.gov with questions.

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.