DYK: Flood Control Infrastructure Protects Our Communities and Water Supplies

As the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, we're highlighting our continued commitment to ensuring this regional flood control and water management system operates smoothly and efficiently to safeguard our water resources - now and for future generations.

DID YOU KNOW: The SFWMD operates and maintains one of the largest flood control and water management systems in the world?

WHY IT MATTERS: Central and Southern Florida's regional system of canals, levees, pump stations and other important water management infrastructure is key to protecting water supplies and providing flood control for over 9 million people throughout the region.

Moving water to meet varying conditions and needs is essential to sustaining Central and Southern Florida's people, economy and our environment.

A LOOK BACK: In 1948, the U.S. Congress adopted legislation creating the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, the largest civil works project in the country. Construction began the next year and continued over 20 years as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the massive flood control plumbing system stretching from just south of Orlando to Florida Bay.

On June 2, 1949, under Florida Governor Fuller Warren, the State Legislature created the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, the predecessor agency to the SFWMD, to manage the C&SF Project.

75 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE: Today, 75 years after the creation of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, the SFWMD continues to operate and maintain Central and Southern Florida's regional water management system to effectively manage and safeguard our water resources.

Using state-of-the-art technology, SFWMD water managers monitor the weather around the clock to determine the optimal operation of hundreds of control structures located from Orlando to the Florida Keys. Our dedicated team of employees is working every day to manage and maintain:

• 2,175+ miles of canals
• 2,130+ miles of levees/berms
• 915+ water control structures
• 620+ project culverts
• 90+ pump stations

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: The SFWMD uses cutting-edge technology to assess the status of its infrastructure, prioritize long-term needs, and develop adaptation strategies to help ensure the resiliency of the regional flood control and water management system.

The SFWMD continues to make significant infrastructure adaptation investments to carry out its mission of safeguarding and restoring Central and Southern Florida's water resources and ecosystems, protecting communities from flooding, and ensuring an adequate water supply for all of South Florida's needs.

Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl to learn more about the regional water management system.

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