South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD

🤝 @SFWMD scientists teamed up with UF/IFAS scientists to research best plant management practices to use inside Everglades stormwater treatment areas. 🌱 Over 1 million plants were planted in the STAs during the last water year. For the STAs to function properly, it is essential these areas contain the right plants and are kept free of invasive aquatic vegetation. 💧 STAs are specifically designed to improve water quality and reduce nutrient pollution before water enters the Everglades. 👏

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✅ Today's Governing Board Meeting has adjourned. ⭐ Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. Missed it? A recording of today's meeting will be available here 👉 SFWMD.link/4uZDGJ6

💦 Flood control is a key component of the @SFWMD's mission. 💙 At today's Governing Board meeting, the @SFWMD recognized June as Flood Awareness Month and highlighted the important work the District does to protect South Florida's communities. 💪 Staff works year-round to ensure the regional flood control system is ready for any storms that come our way.

🎊 Celebrating 2️⃣5️⃣ years of service! 💙 Today the @SFWMD Governing Board recognized Juan Gonzalez, Ph.D., P.E., a Chief Engineer in our Hydrology & Hydraulics Bureau, for his quarter of a century of service to the District. Congratulations, Juan! 👏

🎉 Congratulations to the recipients of this month's @SFWMD employee service awards! 🌟June 2026 Employee of the Month: Harrison Alexander, IT Administrator 🌟June 2026 Team of the Month: C-23 Estuary Discharge Diversion Team The Governing Board recognized these outstanding employees for their commitment to the District! 💙👏

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✨ The June Governing Board Meeting has started. Here are some of the items on today’s agenda: 📌 Executive Director Drew Bartlett will provide his Monthly Report 💦 Update on the Kissimmee River Restoration and Management Area and Ten-Year General Management Plan 🌿 Presentation on water & ecological conditions ⭐ And more… 📄View the full agenda: SFWMD.gov/Meetings 💻 Follow along and watch live: SFWMD.link/4g2uija

🗓️ Join us in-person or tune in online today starting at 9:00 a.m. for the June Governing Board Meeting. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.link/4g2uija to watch the meeting live.

🚩 Navigation Notice 🚩 ⚠️ The S-65 Boat Lock on Lake Kissimmee in Osceola County near the Polk County line will temporarily close next week for routine maintenance. 🗓️ The boat lock will close at 7:30 p.m. after its normal operating hours on Sunday, June 14, 2026, and will re-open at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation for more details.

💧 Working to improve the health of Lake Okeechobee! 🌱 @SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett along with members of the County Coalition saw the muck/vegetation removal in action on Lake Okeechobee. 👏 The District is working with @MyFWC as they remove over 285 acres of aquatic vegetation including thick cattail and willow as well as muck from the lake bottom. 💧 Benefits of this work include improved habitat for fish, waterfowl, wading bids and other wildlife populations, while also allowing for improved lake access for anglers, boaters and hunters.

🎣 This is what Florida weekends were made for, then and now! 📸 In this historic 1957 photo, an angler shows off the goliath grouper he reeled in near the mouth of Lostmans River. 💦 The river is located in Everglades National Park and is part of the Ten Thousand Islands chain. #America250FL

🐍🥚 Egg-cellent work by our python removal agents! 🏆 Last month’s bonus awards also rewarded agents for removing python eggs and active nests from the landscape. Together, the agents eliminated 3️⃣1️⃣5️⃣ eggs! 👀 Check out the May 2026 winners. 🐍 Most Pythons, $600: Megan De Angelis (81 captures; 1 nesting female python and 80 eggs) 🐍 Longest Python, $400: Donna Kalil (17 ft 6 in) 🐍 15+ Pythons, $1,500: Guillermo Tapanes, Anthony Flanagan, Tommy Lee, Kyle Findley, Christina Kraus and Megan De Angelis 🐍 10+ Pythons, $1,000: Donna Kalil and Matt Kogo 🐍 7+ Pythons, $500: Andre Brown and Aaron Mann 🐍 4+ Pythons, $300: Alec Rex, Joseph Currie, Kristine Bartish, Richard Catrambone, Federico Arrosa, Frank Alonso and Joaquin Vila 👏 Thank you to all of our python removal agents! Every invasive python and nest that is removed is making a difference to protect the Everglades and the region's native wildlife. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/PythonProgram to learn more.

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📢 Attention Lee and Collier Counties! 💧 The @SFWMD has rescinded the Water Shortage Warning that was issued for Lee and Collier counties on Feb. 5, 2026. 🌧️ Since the start of the wet season, the Lower West Coast area received 4.46 inches of rain, which is over 140% of normal rainfall. 📊 This increased rainfall resulted in a corresponding average rise in groundwater levels of approximately three feet in the Lower Tamiami Aquifer. ⚠️ The Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order for a designated area of northeastern Cape Coral in Lee County is still in effect. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/News to read more.

🔥➡️✅ Prescribed burn success! 💚 This week, the @SFWMD worked with the @MyFWC as they conducted a prescribed burn on the northern end of Lake Okeechobee. This beneficial burn targeted cattail, willow and other vegetation. 🌿 Prescribed burns are an important land management tool in South Florida. 🌱 They ensure ecosystem health and reduce the threat of wildfire. 🐟 They help improve habitat for fish, waterfowl, wading birds, and other wildlife populations. 🌾 They aid in controlling certain invasive vegetation. 🔔 Want to know when a prescribed burn is happening? Sign up here for notifications: SFWMD.link/30QLmka

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✅ Successful Partnerships = Improved Natural Resources ✂️ Today, the @SFWMD joined Ducks Unlimited to celebrate another massive accomplishment for our water resources and ecosystems. 🤝 Multiple partners including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Palm Beach County, and Martin County also joined the celebration for the completion of the Cypress Creek Restoration Project. 💧 This important project hydrologically reconnects the Cypress Creek natural area to the Loxahatchee River by restoring historic flow ways and improving over 2,900 acres of wetlands and uplands.

⏰ On June 2, 1949, the State Legislature created the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, the predecessor agency to the @SFWMD to manage the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project.  🎉 Which means that today is our 77th anniversary and we are marking over seven decades of public service! 💧 In 1949, there were approximately 2 million people in South Florida, today there are over 9 million people! 🏅 The District operates and maintains one of the largest flood control and water management systems in the world. Central and Southern Florida’s comprehensive network of canals, levees, pumps and other critical infrastructure is vital to protecting water supplies and providing flood control throughout the region. While this network is entirely in South Florida (spanning from Orlando to the Florida Keys), it has a total combined length comparable to the distance from Florida to California! 👏 Established to serve Floridians, the District has overseen major environmental and water resource protection efforts and advanced numerous projects since its inception, including major Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects like the EAA Reservoir and STA, the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir and the St. Lucie (C-44) Reservoir and STA.

🤝 Improving local flood protection 🤝 ✂️ Today, @SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett joined the Indian Trail Improvement District in Palm Beach County to celebrate the completion of the J.W. Corbett Levee Project. This is a multi-agency infrastructure effort designed to improve water management, and reduce flooding in the Acreage in western Palm Beach County and enhance hydrological restoration levels in the J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. 🚧 The significance of this project reaches back to 2012 when Hurricane Isaac brought heavy rainfall to western Palm Beach County. What began as an emergency response to a devastating storm has now become a lasting investment in flood protection and regional resilience. 💧 The project included raising, widening and strengthening approximately 3 miles of earthen levee, the replacement of two existing gated culvert structures, as well as clearing, grubbing, and riprap installation. The project also enhances water-level monitoring capabilities in both J.W. Corbett and the Indian Trail Improvement District’s M-0 Canal through the installation of new stilling wells. ✅ Flood control in South Florida is a shared responsibility between the District, county and city governments, local drainage districts, homeowners associations and residents.

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🎶 Are you ready for it? ⛺️ Special Use Licenses for June 1-December 31, 2026 will go live on the @SFWMD's website on Monday, June 1. 🐎 Special Use Licenses can be obtained at no cost. A Special Use License allows the public to engage in various recreational activities including camping, equestrian camping, camping with a RV or Travel Trailer and more on South Florida Water Management District property. 👉 The District will issue Special Use Licenses on a first-come, first-served basis when the area and facilities can accommodate the requested use and such use is consistent with the protection of natural resources. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/Recreation to get started!☀️

⛺✨ No GPS. No Wi-Fi. Just a quiet day in the Everglades. 📸 This candid snapshot taken in 1959 shows a couple preparing a meal at a campsite in the Everglades. 💚 It's the perfect Florida adventure! #America250FL

🌀 The annual Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1! ✅ Today, the @SFWMD conducted its annual hurricane preparedness exercise to ensure our team is ready for any storms this season may bring. Now is the time for Floridians to prepare before a major storm is on the radar. 🏘️ There are many precautions that residents can take to prepare for hurricane season. ✅ Review your emergency plan. ✅ Refresh your disaster supply kit ✅ Check how you will receive weather alerts ✅ Find out who is responsible for drainage in your community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl. Taking small steps now can make a big difference later! 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/News to learn more.

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🎉 Today, the Big Cypress Basin Board including Chair Charlette Roman and @SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett celebrated a ribbon cutting for new infrastructure that will improve regional water management in Collier County. The project has multiple benefits: ✅ Assists with providing flood protection for the residents and businesses of Collier County ✅ Improves emergency response capabilities ✅ Enhances water management infrastructure operations The infrastructure strengthens communications and improves the reliability and resiliency of the flood control system in the region.