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The public is invited to comment on the draft version of the District’s 2023 Water Supply Assessment.

The WSA provides a regional evaluation of water supply sources and projections of future demands for the 16 counties of northwest Florida. A draft version of the plan was created following public and technical workshops earlier this year. Public comments will be accepted until Oct. 6. For more information, please visit the Water Supply Assessments page.

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District is hosting its first Operation Outdoor Freedom Fishing Event the weekend of October 17-19 within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area.

Veterans with service-related disabilities are eligible to participate in the free event, which provides fishing opportunities at sites on District lands.

The District looks forward to hosting up to six veterans and their assistants. If you are a veteran and would like to participate in this event, you can apply for the drawing with the Florida Forest Service at Operation Outdoor Freedom.

This event depends on donations from our local community businesses and individual sponsors to provide the meals and supplies to these well deserving veterans.  Tax deductible donations can be made online at Operation Outdoor Freedom Donation – Friends of Florida State Forests by selecting OOF Donation Category: NWFWMD OOF.

The District has hosted Operation Outdoor Freedom Hunts annually since 2014.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District re-opened the recreation site at Pitt and Sylvan springs. The site had been temporarily closed  for maintenance and repairs but now resumes normal operating hours from 8 a.m. to sunset daily.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District has issued the following Emergency Order for Hurricane Idalia.

The District previously announced it will close its offices Wednesday (August 30) in advance of the possible landfall of the storm. Any further updates will be posted on this page.

Readers can access real-time updates on water levels at monitoring stations within the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Here are other helpful links to help track storm conditions:

USGS Current Water Data: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/rt

Southeast River Forecast Center: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Florida Department of Emergency Management: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp

National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/

The Northwest Florida Water Management District is monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia and potential flooding that could impact the District’s recreation sites. Any closures will be updated on this page.

As Florida braces for impacts from Idalia, readers can access real-time updates on water levels at monitoring stations within the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Here are other helpful links to help track storm conditions:

USGS Current Water Data: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/rt

Southeast River Forecast Center: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Florida Department of Emergency Management: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp

National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov/

The District has temporarily closed the recreation site at Pitt and Sylvan springs for maintenance and repairs. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the recreation facilities at nearby Wiliford Spring and Econfina Blue Spring, which remain open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District celebrated the re-opening Wednesday of a popular recreation site within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area.

Officials from the District were joined by State Rep. Shane Abbott, Washington County Commissioner David Corbin, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Ed Smith, who is the Director of Ecosystems Projects, for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at Rattlesnake Lake North.

The recreation site is located slightly north of State Road 20 in southern Washington County.

“The Econfina Creek Water Management Area plays a vital role in protecting Econfina Creek and the water that flows into Deer Point Lake,” said Kellie Ralston, a member of the District’s Governing Board. “While we are committed to protecting the water resources in northwest Florida, we take tremendous pride in maintaining recreational sites like Rattlesnake Lake North and providing access for the public to enjoy.”

Rattlesnake Lake North features overnight camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and more. It is one of 24 recreation sites the District maintains within the Econfina Creek WMA – and one of 13 to offer overnight camping. Overnight camping at this site is not allowed from Thanksgiving Day until the first Wednesday in February because of hunting season.

“Rattlesnake Lake North is an extremely popular camping and fishing spot and we know visitors have been eager to see it reopened,” said Nick Patronis, a member of the District’s Governing Board who represents Bay County. “We are grateful to Gov. DeSantis and the legislature for funding that allows us to keep this site open for the public to enjoy.”

All overnight camping sites on District-managed lands are free but require an online reservation.

To reserve a camping site, go to https://nwfwater.com/lands/recreation/ and follow the instructions for registration.

YOUNGSTOWN – The Northwest Florida Water Management held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the opening of Wolf Pond South recreation site.

The District was joined by Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton for the event.

The recreation site, located within the Econfina Creek Water Management Area, features overnight camping and provides direct access to the Wolf Pond Equestrian Trail – a 13.5 mile trail popular with horse-riding enthusiasts.

“We take tremendous pride in not only protecting and preserving the lands we manage but also providing the public with access and recreational opportunities on these lands,” Governing Board member Ted Everett said.

The District also honored Sylvia Gates, who has volunteered countless hours through the years to help establish more than 45 miles of equestrian trails within the Econfina Creek WMA. A sign honoring Gates’ contributions was unveiled during Wednesday’s event.

Wolf Pond South is one of 24 recreation sites the District maintains within the Econfina Creek WMA. It is one of 13 that offers overnight camping sites.

All overnight camping sites on District-managed lands are free but require an online reservation. To reserve a camping site, go to https://nwfwater.com/lands/recreation/ and follow the instructions for registration.

The Governing Board for the Northwest Florida Water Management District passed a resolution at its recent Board meeting proclaiming April as “Springs Protection Awareness Month.”

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, northwest Florida is home to more than 250 springs, including five first magnitude springs, and

WHEREAS, springs are essential to the environment, economy, residents of, and visitors to, northwest Florida, and

WHEREAS, springs also provide important recreational resources and opportunities that are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, and

WHEREAS, healthy springs reflect the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s commitment to water resource protection,

NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District:

That April 2023 is recognized as “Springs Protection Awareness Month.”