The South Florida Region and its

Water Management System

The South Florida Region and its

Water Management System

Linda Lindstrom, P.G. Director

Environmental Resource Assessment DepartmentSouth Florida Water Management District, USA

Linda Lindstrom, P.G. Director

Environmental Resource Assessment DepartmentSouth Florida Water Management District, USA

•Oldest and largest, covering 18,000 sq. miles and 16 counties from Orlando to Key West

•Manages water resources in southern half of state with a population of over 6 million

• 1800 employees and $1.4 billion annual budget

• Largest landowner in the state

The South Florida Water Management DistrictThe South Florida Water Management District

Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades Ecosystem

Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades Ecosystem

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Miami

Kissimmee River

Lake Okeechobee

Caloosahatchee River and Estuary

Big Cypress National Preserve

Everglades National Park

Water Conservation

Areas

St. Lucie River and Estuary

Biscayne Bay National Park

Orlando

Florida is basically flat and has a subtropical climate with “extremes” - fluctuating

between being very wet and very dry

Florida is basically flat and has a subtropical climate with “extremes” - fluctuating

between being very wet and very dry

At the turn of the last century, the South

Florida terrain was wild and wet

At the turn of the last century, the South

Florida terrain was wild and wet

Our history has been one of “dredge and drain the

swamp”

Our history has been one of “dredge and drain the

swamp”

Historical ProblemsHistorical Problems• Flood Control

– 1926/1928 Hurricanes: Lake Okeechobee Levee Failure (Herbert Hoover Dike)

– 1947 Hurricane: widespread flooding throughout south Florida

• Water Supply– 1931-1945 Droughts:

Lower East coast saltwater intrusion threat identified

• State of Florida requested federal assistance

Areas Floodedin 1926 &

1928

The Central and Southern Florida (C&SF)

Flood Control Project:

The Central and Southern Florida (C&SF)

Flood Control Project:Authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1948, began

the next year and continued for over 20 years

1949Central & South Florida Flood

Control District created to provide flood control

for the region

1949Central & South Florida Flood

Control District created to provide flood control

for the region

South FloridaWater Management

District

South FloridaWater Management

District• Florida Water Resources Act of 1972

formed the Water Management Districts and broadened the agency’s mission to include:– Water supply– Water quality protection– Environmental management– Flood protection

Water Management System Infrastructure

Water Management System Infrastructure• >1800 miles of canals and levees• 160 major drainage basins• >2,000 water control structures

and growing• 200 major structures

– 70 critical (remote automation)– 130 manual operations

• 36 pump stations (16 major)– 6 under remote automation/control

Water Management

System Infrastructure

Water Management

System InfrastructureOne of the world’s largest and most complex water resource management systems

One of the world’s largest and most complex water resource management systems

South Florida Water Resource Management Major Challenges

South Florida Water Resource Management Major Challenges• Applying integrative

regional management approaches to balance multiple water resources objectives, which are often conflicting

• Dealing with Florida’s climate “extremes”

South Florida Water Resource Management Major Challenges

South Florida Water Resource Management Major Challenges• Updating and retrofitting the aging

C&SF Project System and the Herbert Hoover Dike

• Ensuring water supply for ever-growing population

• Restoring and protecting natural systems stressed by population, urban/agricultural land use and invasive exotic plants and animals

The world’s largest ecosystem

restoration...

The world’s largest ecosystem

restoration...

…the Florida Everglades…the Florida Everglades

Historical EvergladesHistorical

Everglades

Everglades Today

Everglades Today

HistoricHistoricFlowFlow

HistoricHistoricFlowFlow

CurrentCurrentFlowFlow

CurrentCurrentFlowFlow

System Modifications

System Modifications

Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan (CERP) –Getting the

Water Right

Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan (CERP) –Getting the

Water Right• A framework and guide to

provide the right amount and quality of water and the right flow conditions to restore, protect, and preserve the natural systems along with an adequate water supply for urban and agricultural needs.

• Comprised of 68 major components, which are grouped into over 40 projects.– Physical Facilities (Reservoirs,

STAs, etc.)– Land Acquisition– Operations & Maintenance– 14 projects have been Accelerated

Welcome to South Florida!