As many Floridians continue to recover from the historic impacts of Hurricane Ian, crews at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are working around the clock to reduce regional lake levels in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes system and provide relief to impacted communities.

Did you know the SFWMD continues to strategically deploy resources and utilize every structure possible to lower water body levels and move water away from communities?

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is always ready for a major storm event and we are ready for Hurricane Ian. The SFWMD is closely monitoring Hurricane Ian and continues to prepare the District’s water management system for heavy rainfall that is already starting to impact the region.

Did you know there are many precautions that residents can take to help reduce the risk of flooding and allow excess rainwater to drain in their communities? 

Did you know the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is constantly collecting and analyzing data to assess our region’s water quality and safeguard South Florida’s ecosystem? 

Did you know the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) operates water management infrastructure to store excess water that can be used in drier conditions? 

Additional storage infrastructure projects like the EAA Reservoir Project, Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir and the C-44 Reservoir will help reduce the harmful discharge of excess water out of the system while storing it for when communities and the environment can use it.

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.