SEARCH MENU Home Projects About SWIM Content Menu About Residents Business Programs & Projects Resources Recreation Main Content About SWIM In 1987 the Florida Legislature created the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Act to protect, restore and maintain Florida's highly threatened surface water bodies. Under this act, the state's five water management districts identify a list of priority water bodies within their authority and implement plans to improve them. The District's SWIM Program The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management Program is administered through the Natural Systems & Restoration Bureau, which is responsible for many of the District's water quality and natural systems initiatives. With the help of state agencies, local governments and other organizations, the SWIM Program focuses on water quality and natural systems restoration projects to accomplish these initiatives. Currently, the District's 12 priority water bodies include Tampa Bay, Rainbow River, Crystal River/Kings Bay, Lake Panasoffkee, Charlotte Harbor, Lake Tarpon, Lake Thonotosassa, Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Sarasota Bay, Weeki Wachee River, Chassahowitzka River and Homosassa River. The list of priority water bodies is updated periodically to reflect changes in the health of individual water bodies. The SWIM Program evaluates priority water bodies, identifies potential problems and implements projects to improve their water quality or habitat. Since 1987, 375 water quality and natural systems restoration projects have been completed or are ongoing. How SWIM Protects Florida's Water Resources Over the years, Florida's expansive growth and increase in urbanization have altered or eliminated many natural systems, which has decreased local water quality and destroyed habitats. This has played a significant role in the state's economy by impacting the commercials fishing, recreational and tourism industries. The SWIM Program focuses on improving and protecting these natural ecosystems for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Water Quality SWIM projects focus on reducing the pollution in stormwater runoff by reducing excess nutrients and other pollutants which affect water quality. The District and its partners have implemented projects which have provided water quality treatment of more than 215,000 acres of watershed. Natural Systems SWIM projects also restore degraded or destroyed natural systems, enhance existing habitats, and promote the preservation of natural habitats. Since 1987, the SWIM Program has restored over 14,000 acres of freshwater, estuarine, and upland habitat. SWIM Navigation About SWIM » Priority Water Bodies Tampa Bay » Rainbow River » Crystal River/Kings Bay » Lake Panasoffkee » Charlotte Harbor » Lake Tarpon » Lake Thonotosassa » Winter Haven Chain of Lakes » Sarasota Bay » Weeki Wachee River » Chassahowitzka River » Homosassa River » Related Documents SWIM Annual Report 2020 Tampa Bay – SWIM Plan - 1999 Rainbow River SWIM Plan Crystal River/Kings Bay SWIM Plan Lake Panasoffkee – SWIM Plan - 2000 2020 Charlotte Harbor SWIM Plan Lake Tarpon – SWIM Plan - 2001 Lake Thonotosassa – SWIM Plan - 2003 Winter Haven Chain of Lakes – SWIM Plan - 1998 Sarasota Bay – SWIM Plan - 2002 Weeki Wachee River - SWIM Plan - 2017 Chassahowitzka River - SWIM Plan - 2017 Homosassa River SWIM Plan SEARCH Footer ePermitting Public Records Request Dispute Resolution Privacy & Disclaimer ADA Statement Statement of Accessibility Lobbyist Registration Consolidated Annual Report Strategic Plan Annual Regulatory Plan SWUCA Five-Year Assessment Order Free Publications Water Restrictions Facebook YouTube Pinterest LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Footer Contact WaterMatters Blog Sign Up for Email Updates Email Us Email Our Webmaster District Logos Contact Us 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604 Telephone: (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only) Copyright © Southwest Florida Water Management District 2018