South Florida Water Management District

🌧️ This morning, @SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett went to the S-44 water control structure on the C-17 Canal in northern Palm Beach County in response to the heavy rainfall last night. 🤝 The District has hundreds of water control structures that move water and we are actively working to get water away from communities as fast as possible. ⚠️ The District continues to work with our local partners and drainage operators to support communities that have been impacted by the ongoing flooding.

☀️🌙 SFWMD IN ACTION: @SFWMD officials continue to actively monitor and respond to the flooding in certain areas of South Florida. Today, Executive Director Drew Bartlett and Governing Board Vice-Chair Ben Butler visited the Okeechobee County Emergency Operations Center to assess the overall impact of the flooding and observe conditions throughout that area. The District reminds residents and visitors to avoid floodwaters resulting from heavy rains. ▪️ If you face life-threatening flooding or are in imminent danger, call 9-1-1. ▪️ Avoid driving through flooded areas. When in doubt, turn around. ▪️ Ensure debris, trash cans, and other items are secured and cannot blow into drainage ways. ▪️ Monitor announcements from your County Emergency Operations Center. ▪️ Floodwaters can hide hidden dangers. Do not wade or swim in floodwaters. Visit SFWMD.gov/News for more information.

☔️ Heavy rainfall started over the weekend and will continue today. The @SFWMD is closely monitoring the forecast and our water managers started making operational adjustments and will continue to make adjustments as needed during the rainfall event. Actions by SFWMD: 💧 Managing our canals to allow the regional flood control system to operate at full capacity. 💧 Actively using flood protection gates, pumps and a boat lock to move water away from communities. 💧 Encouraging local governments, drainage operators, and communities to monitor rainfall, ensure storm drains are cleared and check their systems. 💧 Continue to adjust the flood control system in response to high tides. Know who to contact if you experience flooding from the storm. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl and type in your address to look up your local drainage operator. Residents should remain vigilant. Visit SFWMD.gov/Weather for more information.

🚩 The S-193 Boat Lock on Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County has been closed to boat traffic effective immediately. This boat lock is being used to move flood waters away from local communities. The lock will remain closed to boat traffic for safety purposes until further notice. 🔗 SFWMD.gov/Navigation

🦇 It's Bat Week, and we're over the moon for these winged wonders! ✨ Florida has 13 resident species of bats, and 8 of them call South Florida home. Though often feared, the spooky truth is that bats are vital to the health of our environment and provide many important benefits. 🌿 All bat species are protected year-round in Florida to help conserve their populations. 🎃 Happy Halloween! 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/News to learn more.

🖖 “Things are only impossible until they are not.” - Captain Jean-Luc Picard Beautiful sunsets are waiting, and the adventure is closer than you think. Boldly go, South Florida! 🌅

This one's sea-riously special! 🌊🐦 👀 Meet the coastal seabird that keeps choosing Lake Okeechobee. Over the last three years, District scientists have documented these coastal visitors on the lake, including observations of two adults and a juvenile-plumaged bird. 🔎 The Sula leucogaster has been repeatedly spotted perched on the lake’s navigation channel markers, and these inland sightings are extremely rare. ✨ The only other documented record of these birds at Lake Okeechobee was in 1983. 📖 Read our scientists' newly published paper in Florida Field Naturalist to learn more about this rare and fascinating observation!

⚠️ South Florida is experiencing some extremely high king tides. These are caused from a combination of the high tide, a full moon and persistent strong onshore winds. Visit SFWMD.link/3UsmoaC to read the king tide forecast and to sign-up for future updates.

🚩 Navigation Notice 🚩 🚤 All of the remaining navigational boat locks maintained by the @SFWMD on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee will re-open seven days a week starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The boat locks are listed below: ▪️ S-135 Boat Lock at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ▪️ G-36 Boat Lock on Henry Creek in Okeechobee County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ▪️ S-127 Boat Lock at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ▪️ S-131 Boat Lock in Lakeport in Glades County will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 🛥️ The S-193 Boat Lock on Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County was re-opened on October 12, 2026 and remains open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 🔗 Visit SFWMD.gov/Navigation for more details.

Few songs capture the soul of Florida like John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind.” This song grasps the essence of Florida and John Anderson is from our great state. Governor Ron DeSantis has mentioned this song at many Everglades restoration events over the years because it tells a story that is uniquely ours. RIP to John Anderson, a country music legend, a great artist and a champion for Florida’s ecosystems.

🐟⚾️ Big fans of our rays. From Tampa Bay to the World Series, good luck. #RaysUp! 💙

✅ Foundation Preparation ✅ Embankment Construction ✅ Precision Planning 🤝 The leadership team from @EvergladesNPS joined @JaxStrong and the @SFWMD to learn more about the major feats of engineering, planning and construction that are currently taking place at the EAA Reservoir Project, the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration. The site visit showcased the teamwork that is driving Everglades restoration forward. 💪

🛶💦 October is a great month to visit the Loxahatchee River. Go with the flow and enjoy the view but remember these key safety precautions: ⚠️ Safety Gear: Always wear a Personal Flotation Device and bring a whistle. 🛶 Navigation: Be prepared for tight turns and low-hanging branches in the river’s upper, wilder sections. 🐊 Alligator Awareness: Alligators are common; do not feed or approach them, and avoid shady banks where they rest. 💧 Trip Planning: File a float plan and bring plenty of water/sunscreen. Visit SFWMD.gov/Recreation for the most up-to-date information.

Snakes 🐍, lizards🦎, turtles 🐢, and crocodilians🐊 are some of the scaly residents you may spot on @SFWMD lands. ✨ This Reptile Awareness Day, we're shell-abrating the many native reptiles that call our region home. 🌿 The District works year-round to protect, restore and manage natural ecosystems that provide important habitat for native reptiles and wildlife. ⚠️ Remember to always keep a safe distance from wildlife for your safety and theirs.

👏 Congratulations to @SFWMD Chair Chauncey Goss for being honored with the Everglades Champion Award by Audubon Florida. This award is given to an outstanding individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to advance Everglades restoration. Chair Goss won the award for his work to protect, restore and safeguard America’s #Everglades. 🎉💧🌱

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Suzanne Trimble, the @SFWMD's Employee of the Month for October 2026. ⭐ Suzanne currently serves as a Regulatory Specialist Supervisor. In this role, she provides compliance, permitting, and technical support for the District’s regulation division. 💻 Suzanne recently spearheaded the District's transition to a new online platform for permit applications and she ensured the change went smoothly and efficiently. 👏 Thank you, Suzanne, for your service and congratulations on a job well done!

👀 Water you looking at? Everglades restoration in action! 💦 💧 Crystal clear water is flowing as part of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. This major Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Project is complete and already improving water quality in this area of Miami-Dade County. 💪 Watch the water as it flows from the C-1 Canal into a newly constructed pump station and a series of conveyance and distribution features to slowly rehydrate coastal wetlands instead of harmfully discharging it directly into Biscayne Bay. 🏅 Biscayne Bay is an iconic waterbody of enormous significance for millions of Floridians and this project greatly improves the health of this environmental treasure.

🚜🖊️ The Blue Shanty Flow Way is being expedited thanks to the landmark agreement to accelerate Everglades restoration that was signed in July 2025 by @GovRonDeSantis and @USArmy. 💧 This crucial project will unlock a vital system to deliver clean water south across Tamiami Trail and into Florida Bay. The structure in the pictures will allow water to flow from Water Conservation 3A into Everglades National Park. 👏 Thank you to our amazing team who is ahead of schedule on this project!

🎉 Congratulations to the @SFWMD's October 2026 Team of the Month! ⭐ The District's Southern Everglades Restoration Modeling Team built a comprehensive model to study the feasibility of a project to send more water south to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. This means improving the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of freshwater in Water Conservation Area 3B, Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. 👏 Thank you to all of the team members for their dedication to this project!

👏 Today, the @SFWMD Governing Board elected officers for the 2026-27 term. 🌟 Mr. Chauncey Goss was elected to remain Chair 🌟 Mr. Benjamin Butler was elected to be Vice-Chair 🗓️ Both were unanimously elected to serve in these roles. 🎉 Congratulations and thank you for your public service!