In recognition of Florida Preparedness Month, we are highlighting the South Florida Water Management District's (SFWMD) work to ensure the regional system of canals, levees and water control structures are prepared to handle whatever nature sends our way.

Throughout the year, the SFWMD's Operations and Maintenance staff oversee more than 2,175 miles of canals, 2,130 miles of levees/berms, 915 water control structures, 620 project culverts and 89 pump stations. Moving water to meet varying conditions and needs is essential to sustaining South Florida's people and our environment.

Did you know the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) proactively develops long-term water supply plans to monitor, evaluate and identify water sources and projects to meet the future water needs throughout its 16-county region?

As part of its mission, the District ensures there are sufficient water supplies to meet the needs of the region’s residents, visitors, and the environment – now and in the future.

Amid the sawgrass marshes and the freshwater ponds of the Everglades, you may spot a tall communication tower on the horizon. Although these structures are often mistaken for cell phone towers, they are actually part of the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) vast data collection and technology network. 

Did you know the District maintains an extensive and complex system of microwave communication towers and scientific monitoring stations that can remotely operate water control structures and transmit important environmental data? 

Invasive Burmese pythons hold a top position on the food chain since making their way into America’s Everglades. These apex predators possess an insatiable appetite that can rob native wildlife such as panthers, birds of prey, and alligators of their primary food source. 

Did you know the 2022 Florida Python Challenge® continues to advance efforts to remove invasive pythons and raise awareness about the threat they pose to our one-of-a-kind Greater Everglades Ecosystem? 

Did you know conserving water year-round is an integral part of managing and protecting South Florida’s water supplies now and for future generations?

South Florida’s rainy season brings summer thunderstorms and afternoon showers that typically drop more than 30 inches of rain across the region each year. Even with all that water, it’s important to continue to use our water resources wisely during the rainy season -- and all year long.

Did you know that keeping our canals clear of trees, shrubs, and other possible obstructions is an important component of providing flood control in South Florida? 

Trees, vegetation and other debris along a canal right of way can cause blockages and interfere with water control structures downstream. These obstructions can prevent water from properly draining, resulting in flooding that impacts residents in the immediate area and many miles away.

Did you know significant progress continues to be made to restore America’s Everglades and protect South Florida’s water resources? The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), along with our local, state, and federal partners, continue to expedite key restoration and water quality improvement projects that benefit the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

To date, 48 Everglades projects have been completed, broken ground or hit a major milestone since January of 2019.

Did you know water is constantly moving through our ecosystem, cycling between the land and air that’s on, above or below the Earth’s surface? The water cycle is a loop that brings us rain, recharges our aquifers, and helps fill our lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. 

Understanding and monitoring this continuous circulation of water is an important component of protecting South Florida’s water resources.  

Did you know the Picayune Strand Restoration Project will restore over 55,000 acres of native wetlands and uplands in Southwest Florida? Major progress continues to be made on this key Everglades restoration project, which improves natural sheet flow and rehydrates drained wetlands. 

Restoring this natural area is all about removing the footprints of the past. To date, 90% of the old roads and 98% of the logging trams are degraded. In addition, over 60% of canals are backfilled. Three pump stations are also complete to rehydrate drained wetlands. 

The South Florida Water Management District, along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, continues to be committed to improving South Florida's waterways and protecting our natural resources.

Florida will continue to expedite long-term efforts that improve water quality, and we are also taking action now to tackle toxic algal blooms that impact people and the environment.