Managing water and keeping an eye on the weather go hand-in-hand in South Florida. This is because the Everglades and, more broadly, South Florida are rain-driven ecosystems -- nearly all of the surface water we manage comes from rainfall that falls within the District's boundaries. Did you know that meteorology helps guide some of our most important water management decisions?
Everglades restoration and protection of our water resources are critical to our way of life in Florida. Did you know you can be a part of our important work and get a great looking license plate on your vehicle?
So far, in 2021...
Did you know that the Big Cypress Basin (BCB) is one of the two legislatively-set basins within the South Florida Water Management District's 16-county region? The Big Cypress Basin includes a network of over 140 miles of canals and 35 water control structures, while providing flood protection in Collier County.
Did you know that Gardner-Cobb Marsh is the largest District property near the Kissimmee Upper Chain of Lakes? The Gardner-Cobb Marsh consists of 11,000-acres of land nestled in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes watershed between Cypress Lake, Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee. Gentle slopes in elevation of mere inches results in a rolling landscape that produces a contrast in natural communities. Swamps, pine flatwoods and wet prairie are the dominant habitats found here, and in the fall and spring they burst with an array of wildflowers.
The South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently celebrated the completion of the Kissimmee River restoration, one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in the world. While providing excellent navigation and flood control benefits, the previous channelization of the river left the ecosystem with major negative consequences for native birds and wildlife. The restoration effort restored more than 40 square miles of the river floodplain ecosystem, 44 miles of the historic river channel and 20,000 acres of wetlands.
The District is committed to ensuring our flood protection system can continue to operate today and well into the future. Our approach to Resiliency planning dovetails with our mission to safeguard and restore South Florida's water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region's water needs.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee offer some of the best boating and fishing opportunities in Central and South Florida. Navigation locks throughout this interconnected system ensure that it is accessible for public recreation.
Did you know there are 11 locks maintained by the South Florida Water Management District? It takes about 15 minutes to "lock" through most structures. This service is free to boaters locking through during normal operating hours.
When severe weather approaches South Florida, our staff closely monitor the storm and prepare the water management system for excessive rainfall. Canals are lowered to allow the flood control system to operate at full capacity, and our professional staff coordinate with local governments to strongly encourage all local drainage districts to prepare their systems for excess stormwater.
Today Gov. Ron DeSantis joined the South Florida Water Management District to celebrate the completion of an important milestone for Everglades restoration: the removal of nearly six miles of the Old Tamiami Trail roadbed!
Everyone loves South Florida’s subtropical climate – including invasive plants and animals! Invasive species are well-established throughout South Florida’s natural habitats; this invasion can result in the displacement of native species, loss of habitat, alteration of hydrology, changes in natural fire conditions and degradation of public use areas.
