An edition of: WaterAtlas.orgPresented By: USF Water Institute

Water-Related News

Flood response update from the Southwest Florida Water Management District

SWFWMD logo

Oct. 12, 2024 – The District continues to monitor lake and river levels and manage its water control structures around the clock during this historic flooding event caused by Hurricane Milton.

Lake and River Level Update

  • Lake water levels in most areas are starting to decline and most structures are discharging at maximum capacity.
  • Upper portions of the Hillsborough River have crested and are beginning to decline while the lower portions are continuing to rise.
  • Cypress Creek, which is a major tributary of the Hillsborough River, is at major flood stage and is still rising.
  • Water levels throughout the Alafia River have crested and are beginning to decline.
Here’s an update on several of the major systems the District is operating:

Tampa Bypass Canal System

  • The Southwest Florida Water Management District is continuing to store all of the high river flows from the upper portions of the Hillsborough River and are successfully detaining and moving the water. The District does not have a way to detain and move flood water from Cypress Creek.
  • The District is currently moving more than 4 million gallons of water per minute through the Tampa Bypass Canal S-160 structure into McKay Bay to protect the cities of Tampa and Temple Terrace from river flooding.
  • The District activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area from Hurricane Milton. This action closed the Hillsborough River to boaters and redirected water to the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area resulting in some localized flooding on District-owned lands and Morris Bridge Road.
  • The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) or reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Floodwaters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with floodwaters from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which has five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.
For more information on the Tampa Bypass Canal System, visit WaterMatters.org/projects/tampa-bypass-canal-system

Medard Reservoir

  • The District has stopped emergency pumping at the Medard Reservoir.
  • The water levels at Medard are now dropping quickly through normal operating procedures at about 1 inch every three hours, and the reservoir is down 1 foot from the peak.
  • The District began emergency pumping at the Medard Reservoir Thursday, Oct. 10 to protect the structural integrity if the reservoir. The Alafia River was at Major Flood Stage and the emergency release was less than 1% of the overall flow in the river.
  • The District is currently releasing 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the structure per its normal operating procedures to lower the reservoir an additional 4 feet to protect its structural integrity.