SWFWMD to hold online public workshop, Aug. 28, on ranking water bodies

Florida Department of Environmental Protections photo of Oleta River State Park by John Cosgrove showing a new growth of mangroves.

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) will hold a virtual public workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, to seek public input in establishing the priority of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the water district, as well as the establishment of water reservations.

The water district is required by legislation to review and revise this schedule, each year, if necessary.

Members of the public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting, please click on this link to register: https://bit.ly/MFLList2025. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for best compatibility with Microsoft Teams.

To join the meeting by telephone only, dial (786) 749-6127, and when prompted, enter the conference ID: 551 553 56#.

A minimum flow (MFL) or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources or environment. A water reservation defines a quantity of water, set aside from the water use permitting process, for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. The SWFWMD's Governing Board establishes MFLs and reservations as part of achieving the balance between meeting water needs and sustaining Florida’s natural systems.

The adopted minimum flows and levels priority list and schedule for 2024 is available on the District’s website here. The draft 2025 list will be published on the site following the Governing Board’s August 26, 2025 meeting and will be considered for approval at the Board’s October 22, 2025 meeting.

Written comments on the draft priority list and schedule may be submitted to Gabe Herrick, Chief Environmental Scientist by email at gabe.herrick@watermatters.org or by regular mail to 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL, 34604, no later than September 7, 2025.