💧 Much of Lake Okeechobee’s recovery is happening out of sight, beneath the water’s surface. 🌱 In some areas of the lake, native underwater plants are thriving, which is an important sign of an improving habitat for fish and wildlife. 👀 The vallisneria or tape grass in this video continues to grow from the improved water clarity and light penetration. ✅ More SAV = A healthier, more resilient lake ecosystem.

✅ Keeping our communities strong ✅ Keeping our waters clean ✅ Preserving South Florida for generations to come ✨This week, the @SFWMD's Division Director of Flood Control and Water Supply Planning, Dr. Carolina Maran presented at the Southwest Florida Resiliency Summit about these topics and more. 👏 Thank you, Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership, for inviting the District to be a part of this summit.

Congratulations to Andrew Hill and Michele Lenhard for being reappointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Big Cypress Basin Board. The Big Cypress Basin is one of two major watershed basins within the @SFWMD's 16-county region. The Basin includes Collier County and a portion of mainland Monroe County.

☔ More rainfall is expected for South Florida today and then we expect a drying trend later this week and into early next week. 🌦️ If you are experiencing flooding, make sure you visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl and type in your address to look up your local drainage operator. 💧 We have experienced above-normal rainfall so far this month and the @SFWMD continues to monitor weather conditions and make operational adjustments to the primary water management system as needed. Residents are reminded to do the following: 🌦️ Remove and secure any debris around your property. Loose debris can damage structures and clog drains. 🌦️ Avoid driving through flooded areas. When in doubt, turn around. 🌦️ Do not wade or swim in floodwaters. 🌦️ Continue to monitor local weather alerts. 🔗 SFWMD.gov/Weather

🐊🥾 Happy fall y’all! ☀️ Fall is a great time to experience South Florida’s trails, waterways and natural spaces. 🐦 Need inspiration for things to do? Explore recreational opportunities including hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, camping and more on the @SFWMD's lands. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/Recreation to learn more and remember to #RecreateResponsibly.

💼 Want to do business with the @SFWMD? ✨ We purchase a variety of products and services to support our public service mission. 🤝 Join us at the 20th Palm Beach Partners Business MatchMaker Conference and Expo to connect and learn more. 🗓️ Friday, October 2, 2026 ⏰ 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 📍 Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 33401 🔗 PBMatchMaker.com

💧 National Estuaries Week begins today and all of these beautiful estuaries are brought to you by the State of Florida. 🌿 Advancing restoration projects supports the ecological health of the Greater Everglades and South Florida's coastal watersheds.

🤝 The @SFWMD and @JaxStrong continue to make significant progress on Everglades restoration.  🏅👏 Since 2019, we have celebrated over 90 project launches, completions and major milestones on Everglades projects that are making a real difference for South Floridians.

🚩 Navigation Notice 🚩 🛥️ The S-193 Boat Lock at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County will re-open this weekend. 🗓️ The boat lock will be open on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Moving forward, the boat lock will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends but will remain closed on weekdays (Mondays-Fridays) until further notice. 🔗 SFWMD.gov/Navigation

✅ This reservoir is a major feat of engineering, construction and planning. ✅ This reservoir added 55 billion gallons of water capacity storage in South Florida. ✅ This reservoir is one of the most important projects in the history of Everglades restoration. 💧🏅👏 The 10,000-acre Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir is a key component of the joint state-federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a major achievement in our broader mission to restore the Everglades, expand Florida’s water storage capacity and protect important ecosystems now and for future generations. Looking for an update on the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir? 👉 Click here SFWMD.link/4xVRaXP to watch that portion of the September Governing Board Meeting.

🌟 Congratulations to the @SFWMD's September 2026 Team of the Month! 🌟 🎉 The Big Cypress Basin Structure Maintenance and Heavy Equipment Team enhanced recreational opportunities on District lands. 🥾 This hard-working team completed a parking lot at the Picayune Strand Restoration Project and created a hiking trail in the Green Heart of the Everglades. They are also in the process of expanding the existing parking lot at Bird Rookery Swamp in the Big Cypress Basin area. These facilities provide additional access for the public to explore and enjoy the outdoors. 👏 Thank you to all of the team members for their dedication to these projects!

🚜 We’re rockin’ and rollin’ with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ✒️ The Corps approved the package to build the EAA Reservoir’s Seepage Management Pump Station under the new first-of-a-kind agreement to expedite Everglades restoration in South Florida. 🗓️ By the end of the year, we will be building this new pump station for the EAA Reservoir. 💧 The EAA Reservoir is the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration and is designed to send more clean water south, restore ecosystems, and significantly reduce harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.

🎊 Celebrating 4️⃣5️⃣ years of service! 🌟 Today the @SFWMD Governing Board recognized John "JT" Burns, a Heavy Equipment Operator at our West Palm Beach Field Station, for his service and commitment to the District. Congratulations, John! 👏

🎉 Congratulations to the recipients of this month's @SFWMD employee service awards! 🌟September 2026 Employee of the Month: Luis Castro, Building Maintenance Mechanic 🌟September 2026 Team of the Month: Big Cypress Basin Structure Maintenance and Heavy Equipment Team The Governing Board recognized these outstanding employees for their commitment to the District! 👏

✨ The September Governing Board Meeting has started. Here are some of the items on today’s agenda: 📌 Executive Director Drew Bartlett will provide his monthly report 🌿 Presentation on water & ecological conditions 🌱 And more… 📄View the full agenda: SFWMD.gov/Meetings 💻 Follow along and watch live: SFWMD.link/3Uvu5ws

👍 Another massive win for Everglades restoration and water quality. 🎣💧 The St. Lucie Estuary is a vital resource for Floridians who live, work and fish in the area, and the new C-23 Canal Estuary Discharge Diversion Project is already improving water quality all along the Indian River Lagoon. ✨ The @SFWMD remains laser focused on finding solutions to problems and delivering results for Floridians.

💦 Transforming water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon! ✂️ Today, @GovRonDeSantis, @FLDEPNews Secretary Alexis Lambert, @SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett & Governing Board Members Chauncey Goss, “Alligator Ron” Bergeron, Ben Butler, Thomas Hurley & Charlette Roman celebrated the completion of the C-23 Canal Estuary Discharge Diversion Project in Martin County. This important project reduces harmful discharges to the St. Lucie Estuary by routing excess water from the C-23 Canal to the C-44 Reservoir & STA. 👏 Since 2019, we have celebrated over 90 project launches, completions and major milestones under the leadership of Governor DeSantis-the most in state history.

Today, we celebrated the completion of the C-23 Estuary Discharge Diversion Project, a milestone in Everglades restoration that will transform water quality along the Indian River Lagoon. Since I became governor, we’ve made record-breaking investments in projects to improve water quality by addressing underlying issues. This C-23 Estuary project includes nearly seven miles of new interconnect canal and a pump station that diverts millions of gallons of water every day for treatment and storage, reducing harmful discharges and algal blooms in the St. Lucie Estuary. A more natural salinity gradient in the St. Lucie River and better conditions for the estuary will improve conditions for residents, visitors, and business owners in the area. Florida gets things done, and we’re proud of our infrastructure improvements that preserve and improve the quality of life in our state.

We have a duty to leave this state better to God than we found it, and we have prioritized responsible stewardship of Florida’s natural environment. We have invested nearly $9.5 billion in Everglades restoration and water quality during my administration, and those investments are delivering real results. We’ve broken ground on or completed more than 90 Everglades restoration projects since I became governor. Today, I was proud to announce the latest milestone: the completion of the C-23 Estuary Discharge Diversion Project. The St. Lucie Estuary is a vital resource for Floridians who live, work, and fish in the area, and this project is already improving water quality all along the Indian River Lagoon.

Governor DeSantis Announces Completion of Major Water Quality Project nitter.net/i/broadcasts/1PKqrNRjV…