Welcome South Florida's subtropical extremes
of hurricane, flood and drought--combined with efforts
to populate this "new frontier"-- led the
U.S. Congress to adopt legislation creating the Central
and Southern Florida Flood Control Project (C&SF)
in 1948. In 1949, the Florida Legislature created the
Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District,
the predecessor to the South Florida Water Management
District (District). In 1972, with passage of the Florida
Water Resources Act (Chapter 373), the state created
five water management districts, with expanded responsibilities
for regional water resource management and environmental
protection. The districts' boundaries are determined
by watersheds and other natural, hydrologic and geographic
features. Today, the South Florida Water Management
District operates and maintains the massive C&SF
Project, which includes 1,800 miles of canals and levees,
25 major pumping stations and about 200 larger and 2,000
smaller water control structures.
The District spans 16 counties
with a total population of more than six million residents.
This geographic region covers about 18,000 square miles
and includes vast areas of agricultural lands, water
conservation areas, and areas of enormous urban growth
and development.
The District manages and protects
water resources of the region by balancing and improving
water quality, flood control, natural systems and water
supply.
