Administrative subjects

A look at the important role administrative support plays at the District. The discussion can be expanded for students, addressing how they can be successful in this career fields.

Agricultural best management practices

Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) are alternative farming methods designed to significantly reduce the amount of nutrients flowing off farms into water bodies, such as the St. Johns River and its tributaries. Learn how best management practices, such as irrigation schedules and fertilization regimens, benefit the environment while saving farmers money.

Aquifer

An explanation of Florida’s aquifers, layers within the earth’s crust that store and transmit water. The discussion covers the aquifer’s geological structure and function in Florida’s water supply, and how the District is working to preserve aquifers for the future.

Boating safety

A look at boating and water safety guidelines aimed at protecting and preserving the environment of Florida’s popular recreational waterways.

Budget

A discussion of the District’s budgeting process, from how it is generated by ad valorem (property) taxes and other funding sources, to how it is used to ultimately benefit Florida’s taxpayers.

Comprehensive planning

Find out how the District can help local governments with their comprehensive plan amendments, Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) development and plan updates.

Consumptive use permits

The consumptive use permitting program allocates water for beneficial uses such as agriculture, industry and public supply. This discussion covers who needs a consumptive use permit (CUP), how to obtain a permit and what happens after a CUP is issued.

Controlled (prescribed) burns

Learn how District land managers use fire as a tool to reduce the chances of uncontrolled wildfires and to naturally enhance ecological communities.

Data collection

An explanation of the various types of scientific and technical information used by the District, how that information is gathered, and how it is interpreted and used to aid the District in monitoring water resources.

Emergency management

Discover the role the District plays in emergency situations — such as hurricanes, tornadoes, severe flooding or droughts.

Employment and career opportunities

A look at the job opportunities available at the District, including areas such as legal, technical, administrative, engineering, public education, and support services. The discussion also covers the various student and intern programs offered by the District.

Endangered species on District lands

Protecting Florida’s water resources has also allowed the District to protect the habitats of endangered and threatened wildlife species. Learn what kinds of species inhabit District-owned lands and how the District is managing its lands to ensure each species’ continued survival.

Engineering

A look at the role engineering plays in the District’s mission to preserve and protect Florida’s water resources. This discussion can be specifically tailored for any of the District’s ongoing projects.

Environmental resource permits

The District uses the environmental resource permitting program as one of its primary tools to make sure new construction does not cause flooding, pollute waterways or harm wetlands. Find out who needs an environmental resource permit (ERP), how to obtain one and what happens after an ERP is issued.

Equal employment opportunity

It is the policy of the District that equal opportunity be assured in the District’s personnel system, in accordance with the requirements of federal and state law. This is a discussion of how the District strives to maintain diversity in its workplace.

Flood studies

The District’s flood protection program complements local government efforts by focusing on regional flood issues and permitted stormwater systems. Nonregulatory activities include avoidance or resolution of regional flood problems through planning and research, mapping of floodplains, technical assistance to local governments, limited cost-sharing, intergovernmental flood working groups and construction and operation of regional flood control facilities where necessary.

General District information

An informative presentation on how the District works to meet its legislatively mandated mission of preserving and protecting the waters of the 18 counties it serves. The discussion includes an overview of District operations and how the many different departments, divisions, field offices and personnel contribute to the goal of meeting the District's mission.

Greenways and trails

The District’s land acquisition and management programs can support greenway and trail initiatives by providing critical land components to such systems. The District has purchased more than 600,000 acres of conservation lands, which are greenways, and can provide compatible trail opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

History of water management districts in Florida

The origins and history of the District, from its establishment in 1972 to its present-day activities and plans for the future.

Indian River Lagoon

Stretching 156 miles from Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County to Ponce Inlet in Volusia County, the Indian River Lagoon is considered the most diverse estuary on Earth, with 4,300 species of plants and animals. The District is working with other government agencies to reopen valuable fish habitat to the lagoon, habitat that was closed in the 1950s, while working to reduce the volume of pollutants flowing into the lagoon from communities throughout Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties.

Invasive plant management

Here’s a look at the impact of invasive plants, which invade the waters and lands of the state, and the methods that the District’s land managers use to control them, including invasive plant origins and who has responsibility for controlling them.

Lake Apopka / Harris Chain of Lakes

Once described as the most dependable fishing lake, Lake Apopka is now the most polluted large lake in Florida. The District aggressively worked to control future pollution flows by purchasing the farmland located within the lake’s historic wetlands. A 3,500-acre marsh flow-way was built to remove 50 years of pollution pumped into the lake by farms, wastewater treatment facilities and citrus processing plants.

Lake Jesup

Receiving large amounts of stormwater runoff from the Orlando metropolitan area and suffering from man-made changes in the flow of the St. Johns River, Lake Jesup was allowed to decline for decades. Today, however, a comprehensive restoration plan is being implemented to improve water quality and to restore the recreational assets of this great Seminole County lake.

Land acquisition

A discussion explaining how the District acquires lands to provide flood protection, protect water supplies, restore and preserve water bodies, maintain wildlife habitats and provide compatible recreational opportunities to the public.

Land management

A look at how the District manages and maintains the lands it acquires for preservation and protection. The discussion can be specifically tailored for any of the District-owned lands open to the public for recreational and educational uses.

Legal issues

The District has an Office of General Counsel to advise the Governing Board on legal matters. Find out how the legal staff approaches complex and intricate legal issues the District encounters in its role of protecting and preserving Florida’s water resources.

Legislative affairs

Members of the District’s executive staff work closely with legislators in Tallahassee and Washington to seek new laws, strengthen existing laws and obtain the funding needed to protect water resources. This discussion provides a look at the role staff members and legislators play in protecting and preserving Florida’s vital water resources.

Lower St. Johns River Basin restoration

The single most defining element of northeast Florida is the St. Johns River. The District is actively implementing a variety of restoration projects in the 100-mile stretch of the river from Palatka to the river’s mouth at Mayport.

Northern Coastal Basin

The string of rivers separating the barrier islands from Florida’s mainland from Daytona Beach northward to northern St. Johns County is the Northern Coastal Basin. The District is aggressively working to preserve the pristine areas remaining in the basin and to improve or maintain good water quality and natural systems.

Orange Creek Basin

Rich with history and environmental diversity, the Orange Creek Basin is a 600-square-mile area located in the lower Ocklawaha River Basin in Alachua, Marion and Putnam counties. Level prairies, sinkholes and irregular drainage patterns, coupled with more than 300 lakes two acres or larger in size, define this environmentally sensitive area. Land acquisition, water quality monitoring, water flow analysis, monitoring of floating vegetation and the enhancement of recreational opportunities are all activities in which District staff are involved in this area.

Recreation on District lands

Ninety-eight percent of the lands owned by the District are open to the public, offering recreational and educational opportunities compatible with restoration and protection of land and water resources. Camping, boating, hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing are just some of the activities available on District lands. Find out which District lands offer what recreational opportunities.

SWIM projects

SWIM stands for Surface Water Improvement and Management, Florida’s program to clean up, restore and protect its lakes, rivers, bays and estuaries. The discussion includes explanations and updates of the various SWIM projects taking place, including the cleanup and restoration of Lake Apopka, the northern part of the St. Johns River (the Lower St. Johns River Basin), the Indian River Lagoon and the southern part of the Ocklawaha River (the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin).

Upper Ocklawaha River Basin projects
(Sunnyhill Farm and Ocklawaha Prairie)

The District is involved in an ongoing effort to restore riverine wetlands drained years ago. This effort will enhance water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and improve flood water storage on Lake County’s Lake Griffin and throughout the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin.

Upper St. Johns River Basin project

As one of the largest projects of its kind, the Upper St. Johns River Basin project seeks to restore more than 125,000 acres of marsh that were separated from the river system in the early 1900s. The District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working together on this ambitious project that provides flood protection, improves water quality, restores wildlife habitat and provides recreational opportunities for the public throughout the river’s headwaters in Brevard and Indian River counties.

Watershed Action Volunteers

The District sponsors the Watershed Action Volunteer Program to provide an opportunity for greater involvement from the public in addressing problems in watersheds. WAVs monitor water quality, survey streams for pollutant sources and participate in revegetation projects, shoreline cleanups and other vital tasks. WAVs are also trained to prepare and give educational presentations to school groups, civic associations, clubs and other organizations.

Water conservation

Water conservation can save money on your monthly water bill and help avert future water problems. Learn how to retrofit fixtures, detect leaks and change your life style to help protect our water resources.

Water resource education

Learn about the programs the District uses to educate the public about the critical need for preservation and protection of Florida’s vital water supply. Educational programs for all ages include water resource education workshops, water conservation, environmental landscaping and the Legacy program for schools.

Water supply management

The state’s water management districts are studying alternative water sources to better manage our water supply. Particular attention is being paid to areas identified as priority water resource caution areas to avoid potential adverse impacts and develop alternative strategies to meet long-term water supply needs.

Waterwise Florida landscaping

Landscaping with techniques that conserve water and protect the environment. The program teaches how to establish a low-maintenance yard by putting the right plant in the right spot.

Wekiva River

One of Florida’s greatest treasures, long-term planning decades ago established much of the Wekiva River as a protected and pristine resource within the metropolitan Orlando area. Within the basin, efforts are under way to create a wildlife corridor connecting the Wekiva region with the Ocala National Forest. In addition, wetland restoration work is under way where areas of the basin were drained and forested wetlands were destroyed.

Wells

The District has a cost-share program for local governments to plug abandoned artesian and resource-threatened wells. This includes wells of homeowners, local governments and utilities. Local governments that participate can assist landowners with plugging at no cost. Wells may also be plugged through individual agreement.

Wetlands

The term “wetlands” describes a variety of areas where plants and animals especially suited to wet environments can be found. These environments come in many forms, including swamps, hammocks, deep and shallow marshes and wet prairies. Learn how the District is striving to protect and preserve these vital areas.