Northwest Florida Watersheds Partnership Program
The Northwest Florida Watersheds Partnership Program will provide funding for planning, data collection, design, and implementation of projects to enhance water quality, aquatic habitat, and water supply in priority sub-basins within the Northwest Florida Water Management District.
To maximize effectiveness, the Program will be implemented in coordination with local and county governments, regional entities, and other interested and affected parties including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, and the three Panhandle Estuary Programs: the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program, Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program, and the St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bays Estuary Program.
The District is hosting public workshops during October 2025 to share information about the program and obtain input regarding the prioritization of sub-basins for work plan development and project implementation.
Public Workshop Schedule:
St. Andrews Bay Watershed
When: October 7, 6-8 p.m. (Central)
Where: FSU Bayside Auditorium, Florida State University Panama City
Address: 4750 Collegiate Drive, Panama City, FL 32405-1099
Ochlockonee River and Bay Watershed
When: October 8, 6-8 p.m. (Eastern)
Where: Northwest Florida Water Management District Office
Address: 81 Water Management Drive, Havana, FL 32333
St. Marks River and Apalachee Bay Watershed
When: October 9, 6-8 p.m. (Eastern)
Where: Wakulla Environmental Institute
Address: 170 Preservation Way, Crawfordville, FL 32327
Choctawhatchee River and Bay Watershed
When: October 14, 6-8 p.m. (Central)
Where: Northwest Florida Water Management District DeFuniak Springs Office
Address: 700 US Highway 331 South, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Perdido and Pensacola Bay Watersheds
When: October 15, 6-8 p.m. (Central)
Where: Santa Rosa County Auditorium
Address: 4530 Spikes Way, Milton, FL 32583
Apalachicola River and Bay Watershed
When: October 16, 6-8 p.m. (Eastern)
Where: Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
Address: 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328
SWIM Plans
SWIM plans are developed to address, on a watershed basis, cumulative anthropogenic impacts to water quality and aquatic habitats. They incorporate comprehensive strategies to both restore and to protect watershed resources. Implementation is accomplished through a variety of activities, such as retrofitting stormwater management systems to improve water quality and flood protection; restoring wetland and aquatic habitats; supporting enhanced wastewater management and treatment; evaluating resource conditions and freshwater needs; protecting and restoring springs; and providing public outreach and awareness.
The SWIM program also supports coordination of state and federal grants and implementation of cooperative projects with local governments.
Historically, SWIM plan implementation has integrated and leveraged a variety of funding sources, including SWIM (sections 373.451-373.459, F.S.), the Water Management Lands Trust Fund (section 373.59, F.S.), the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund (section 403.1651, F.S.), Florida Forever (section 259.105 and section 373.199, F.S.), legislative special appropriations, the Water Protection and Sustainability Program (section 403.890, F.S.), state and federal grants, and funding through local government partnerships. Cumulatively, the overall effort has resulted in significant protection and improvement of water resources District-wide.
SWIM priority waterbodies of the Northwest Florida Water Management District are listed below. The waterbodies listed are inclusive of all tributaries, sub-embayments, and contributing watershed areas.
