Safeguarding Florida's Water Resources: The Essential Role of Water Management Districts

Explore how Florida’s Water Management Districts protect the state’s water resources and how Streamline Technologies’ advanced modeling and forecasting solutions empower smarter, more resilient water management.

Florida’s water resources are fundamental to the state’s communities, economy, and environment. From the Everglades to the spring-fed rivers of North Florida, these natural systems define the state’s identity and are crucial to its long-term well-being.

Managing these resources responsibly is critical, especially in the face of complex challenges such as rapid development, low-lying topography, and the increase in extreme weather events. That responsibility lies with Florida’s Water Management Districts (WMDs), regional agencies that serve as stewards of the state’s water future.

At Streamline Technologies, we’re proud to support these agencies with advanced software solutions to empower smarter planning and faster decision-making, thus enabling more resilient communities.

Florida Water Management Districts: Protecting Our Water Resources

Established under the Florida Water Resources Act of 1972, Florida’s five Water Management Districts operate under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), with each district responsible for managing water resources within a defined geographic region, focusing on natural watershed boundaries.

The five districts – Northwest Florida (NFWMD), Suwannee River (SRWMD), St. Johns River (SJRWMD), Southwest Florida (SWFWMD), and South Florida (SFWMD) – are tasked with safeguarding the state’s water resources through four core mission areas:

• Water Supply: Districts ensure a sustainable supply of water for residential, agricultural, industrial, and environmental needs that meet current and future reasonable-beneficial uses, while also protecting water resources and natural systems. Regional Water Supply Plans outline the projects, strategies, and conservation initiatives necessary over a 20-year horizon to achieve these goals.
• Water Quality: Districts monitor and assess water quality, fund and implement restoration and water quality improvement projects, and administer regulatory programs designed to protect Florida’s water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and aquifers.
• Flood Protection and Floodplain Management: Districts construct, operate, and maintain flood protection infrastructure while implementing floodplain management practices such as maintaining flood control structures, acquiring land for flood storage, and managing development to minimize flood risk and protect lives, property, and natural resources.
• Natural Systems: Districts restore and preserve water-dependent natural systems through land acquisition, habitat restoration, and the establishment of minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for water bodies to maintain their ecological integrity.

In addition to these responsibilities, Water Management Districts also oversee key regulatory programs, including water use permitting, well construction, and environmental resource permitting, ensuring that water-related activities are conducted in a way that protects both natural systems and public welfare.

Empowering the Future of Water Management

Florida’s water management challenges are among the most complex in the nation – Intense rainfall, sea-level rise, expanding urban areas, and fragile ecosystems demand solutions that go beyond traditional approaches.

That’s why Streamline Technologies is proud to deliver innovative tools, uniquely positioned to support Water Management Districts in meeting their critical responsibilities with greater precision, efficiency, and foresight.

Advanced Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) Modeling

StormWise is a proven H&H modeling platform that provides Water Management Districts with the capabilities needed to accurately simulate and analyze stormwater systems, floodplains, and watershed dynamics, offering:

• High-Performance Computing: A robust computational engine designed for speed and scalability, enabling rapid evaluation of floodplain scenarios, stormwater infrastructure, and watershed management alternatives.
• Flexible Application: Support for regulatory compliance, infrastructure design, flood hazard mapping, environmental impact assessments, and more.
• Florida-Specific Utility: Tailored to handle Florida’s unique hydrologic conditions, including low-relief topography, complex drainage systems, and extreme rainfall events.

Real-Time Flood Forecasting

FloodWise is an innovative real-time flood forecasting system allowing Water Management Districts to monitor evolving conditions, anticipate flood risks, and make informed, timely decisions to protect communities, infrastructure, and natural resources, offering:

• Integrated Data Streams: Combines field sensor data, rainfall measurements, and weather forecasts with live hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) models to deliver actionable intelligence as conditions evolve.
• Scenario-Based Decision Support: FloodWise allows Water Management Districts the ability to run “what if” scenarios, evaluating the potential impacts of various rainfall patterns, reservoir operations, and emergency actions before critical decisions are made.
• Proactive Flood Risk Management: Supports operational decisions for flood control structures, emergency response coordination, and public safety initiatives.

Advanced Solution for Florida’s Water Management Districts

At Streamline Technologies, we’re committed to advancing the mission of Florida’s Water Management Districts through innovative, results-focused software that empowers data-informed action and resilient water resource management.

We offer a comprehensive suite of capabilities designed to meet the diverse needs of Water Management Districts, such as:

• Regional scalability, supporting applications ranging from small-scale basins to expansive, complex watersheds.
• Fast and accurate modeling and forecasting, enabling districts to address both long-term planning objectives and immediate emergency response requirements.
• Seamless integration between planning models and real-time operational decisions, empowering agencies to align strategic goals with day-to-day management.
• Flexible reporting and visualization to allow for enhanced communication, making it easier to convey complex data clearly, and support informed decision-making.

Learn More

The future of Florida’s water resources depends on innovative thinking, advanced technology, and collaborative action.

Contact our team today to learn more about Streamline Technologies’ innovative offerings and how they’re uniquely positioned to help ensure that Florida’s communities and ecosystems are prepared to meet tomorrow’s water challenges today.