South Florida Water Management District

SFWMD is a regional govt. agency working to advance Everglades restoration, ensure water supply & provide flood protection to millions. RTs ≠ endorsements

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🇺🇸 On Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country, including those within our @SFWMD team and throughout our local communities.

Thank you for your service.❤️🤍💙

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🚨 Time to camp-ture the moment!

📅 Special Use Licenses for January 1-May 31, 2027 are live on the @SFWMD's website.

⛺ 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 issues 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 https://t.co/Fq9nOfiJbx to get started!

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

💪 Continuing to fight the floods and move water away from impacted communities.

🤝💦 @SFWMD and the North St. Lucie River Water Control District are working together to move water away from communities in St. Lucie County and will not stop until the floodwaters recede.

🏗️ A temporary pump was installed to help alleviate flooding conditions by moving 20,000 gallons of water per minute. The pump was placed to take water from the North St. Lucie River Water Control District into the SFWMD's regional water management system.

🚜 Crews continue to provide assistance and we're committed to doing everything we can to relieve flooding from this record-breaking rainfall.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

💪🏗️ @SFWMD crews removed vegetation from Ten Mile Creek to help restore the clear flow of water away from communities in St. Lucie County.

💧We are all hands on deck to fight the floods and that includes keeping the nearby canals and waterways clear of vegetation, debris and other obstructions.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

💪 Fighting the floods.

📹 The @SFWMD is actively pumping water away from people into a reservoir.

🤝 The District remains actively engaged with our partners to mitigate flood impacts while monitoring progress.

💦 We continue to focus on moving flood waters away from communities in St. Lucie County. Our EOC is at Level 2 and our crews are pumping water, conducting field assessments and sharing technical data.

🥾 We are continuing to provide boots on the ground assistance to impacted communities and will continue until the job is done.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🌧️ This morning, @SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett went to the S-44 water control structure on the C-17 Canal in northern Palm Beach County in response to the heavy rainfall last night.

🤝 The District has hundreds of water control structures that move water and we are actively working to get water away from communities as fast as possible.

⚠️ The District continues to work with our local partners and drainage operators to support communities that have been impacted by the ongoing flooding.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

☀️🌙 SFWMD IN ACTION: @SFWMD officials continue to actively monitor and respond to the flooding in certain areas of South Florida.

Today, Executive Director Drew Bartlett and Governing Board Vice-Chair Ben Butler visited the Okeechobee County Emergency Operations Center to assess the overall impact of the flooding and observe conditions throughout that area.

The District reminds residents and visitors to avoid floodwaters resulting from heavy rains.

▪️ If you face life-threatening flooding or are in imminent danger, call 9-1-1.
▪️ Avoid driving through flooded areas. When in doubt, turn around.
▪️ Ensure debris, trash cans, and other items are secured and cannot blow into drainage ways.
▪️ Monitor announcements from your County Emergency Operations Center.
▪️ Floodwaters can hide hidden dangers. Do not wade or swim in floodwaters.

Visit https://t.co/owAEGGvKKS for more information.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

☔️ Heavy rainfall started over the weekend and will continue today. The @SFWMD is closely monitoring the forecast and our water managers started making operational adjustments and will continue to make adjustments as needed during the rainfall event.

Actions by SFWMD:
💧 Managing our canals to allow the regional flood control system to operate at full capacity.
💧 Actively using flood protection gates, pumps and a boat lock to move water away from communities.
💧 Encouraging local governments, drainage operators, and communities to monitor rainfall, ensure storm drains are cleared and check their systems.
💧 Continue to adjust the flood control system in response to high tides.

Know who to contact if you experience flooding from the storm. Visit https://t.co/VWH225M0Mm and type in your address to look up your local drainage operator.

Residents should remain vigilant. Visit https://t.co/KEgql0Ax2T for more information.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🚩 The S-193 Boat Lock on Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County has been closed to boat traffic effective immediately. This boat lock is being used to move flood waters away from local communities. The lock will remain closed to boat traffic for safety purposes until further notice.

🔗 https://t.co/ismxM0XThj

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🦇 It's Bat Week, and we're over the moon for these winged wonders!

✨ Florida has 13 resident species of bats, and 8 of them call South Florida home. Though often feared, the spooky truth is that bats are vital to the health of our environment and provide many important benefits.

🌿 All bat species are protected year-round in Florida to help conserve their populations.

🎃 Happy Halloween!

🔗 Visit https://t.co/owAEGGvKKS to learn more.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🖖 “Things are only impossible until they are not.” - Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Beautiful sunsets are waiting, and the adventure is closer than you think. Boldly go, South Florida! 🌅

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

This one's sea-riously special! 🌊🐦

👀 Meet the coastal seabird that keeps choosing Lake Okeechobee. Over the last three years, District scientists have documented these coastal visitors on the lake, including observations of two adults and a juvenile-plumaged bird.

🔎 The Sula leucogaster has been repeatedly spotted perched on the lake’s navigation channel markers, and these inland sightings are extremely rare.

✨ The only other documented record of these birds at Lake Okeechobee was in 1983.

📖 Read our scientists' newly published paper in Florida Field Naturalist to learn more about this rare and fascinating observation!

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

⚠️ South Florida is experiencing some extremely high king tides.

These are caused from a combination of the high tide, a full moon and persistent strong onshore winds.

Visit https://t.co/plChP2p9sP to read the king tide forecast and to sign-up for future updates.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🚩 Navigation Notice 🚩

🚤 All of the remaining navigational boat locks maintained by the @SFWMD on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee will re-open seven days a week starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The boat locks are listed below:

▪️ S-135 Boat Lock at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
▪️ G-36 Boat Lock on Henry Creek in Okeechobee County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
▪️ S-127 Boat Lock at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
▪️ S-131 Boat Lock in Lakeport in Glades County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

🛥️ The S-193 Boat Lock on Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County was re-opened on October 12, 2026 and remains open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

🔗 Visit https://t.co/ismxM0Yr6R for more details.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

Few songs capture the soul of Florida like John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind.” This song grasps the essence of Florida and John Anderson is from our great state.

Governor Ron DeSantis has mentioned this song at many Everglades restoration events over the years because it tells a story that is uniquely ours.

RIP to John Anderson, a country music legend, a great artist and a champion for Florida’s ecosystems.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🐟⚾️ Big fans of our rays.

From Tampa Bay to the World Series, good luck.

#RaysUp! 💙

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

✅ Foundation Preparation
✅ Embankment Construction
✅ Precision Planning

🤝 The leadership team from @EvergladesNPS joined @JaxStrong and the @SFWMD to learn more about the major feats of engineering, planning and construction that are currently taking place at the EAA Reservoir Project, the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration. The site visit showcased the teamwork that is driving Everglades restoration forward. 💪

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

🛶💦 October is a great month to visit the Loxahatchee River. Go with the flow and enjoy the view but remember these key safety precautions:

⚠️ Safety Gear: Always wear a Personal Flotation Device and bring a whistle.

🛶 Navigation: Be prepared for tight turns and low-hanging branches in the river’s upper, wilder sections.

🐊 Alligator Awareness: Alligators are common; do not feed or approach them, and avoid shady banks where they rest.

💧 Trip Planning: File a float plan and bring plenty of water/sunscreen.

Visit https://t.co/Fq9nOfjh15 for the most up-to-date information.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

Snakes 🐍, lizards🦎, turtles 🐢, and crocodilians🐊 are some of the scaly residents you may spot on @SFWMD lands.

✨ This Reptile Awareness Day, we're shell-abrating the many native reptiles that call our region home.

🌿 The District works year-round to protect, restore and manage natural ecosystems that provide important habitat for native reptiles and wildlife.

⚠️ Remember to always keep a safe distance from wildlife for your safety and theirs.

[South Florida Water Management District @SFWMD]

👏 Congratulations to @SFWMD Chair Chauncey Goss for being honored with the Everglades Champion Award by Audubon Florida.

This award is given to an outstanding individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to advance Everglades restoration. Chair Goss won the award for his work to protect, restore and safeguard America’s #Everglades. 🎉💧🌱