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Top: Rock Springs Run. Bottom: Kayakers paddle along the Wekiva River near Wekiwa Springs. Both waterways are among the Outstanding Florida Springs highlighted in the St. Johns River Water Management District’s draft Middle St. Johns River Basin Plan, which prioritizes spring protection, water quality and floodplain conservation.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of St. Johns River Water Management District<\/p>\n
A draft\u00a0long-range\u00a0water management plan for the Middle St. Johns River Basin\u00a0identifies\u00a0protecting Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs, improving water quality and preserving natural floodplains as top priorities affecting the Apopka area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During a public workshop July 16 at the\u00a0St. Johns River Water Management District\u2019s\u00a0Apopka Service Center,\u00a0basin planning manager Cammie\u00a0Dewey\u00a0outlined the plan\u2019s priorities and encouraged residents to provide feedback.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a follow-up interview Monday,\u00a0Dewey said\u00a0the district reestablished its basin management program in 2024 and divided the district into four strategic planning basins.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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See Member Benefits<\/a>Join Our Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe kind of divided the district into four strategic planning basins, with the Middle Basin being one of those four,\u201d\u00a0she said.\u00a0\u201cIt really helps make sure that each of those specific areas gets that focus, has that collaborative opportunity so that we make sure we address the needs and priorities of each of those specific basins.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n For residents in the Apopka area, Dewey said the plan\u2019s most significant focus is protecting the region\u2019s Outstanding Florida Springs, which include Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs and their\u00a0springsheds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Dewey said one of the district\u2019s primary\u00a0objectives\u00a0is reducing nutrient pollution entering the\u00a0springsheds\u00a0through stormwater runoff and groundwater,\u00a0including from\u00a0older septic systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Dewey, those priorities include improving water quality in lakes and rivers, protecting Outstanding Florida\u00a0Springs\u00a0and preserving floodplains\u00a0throughout the Middle Basin, including the Wekiva River, Econlockhatchee River and middle St. Johns River systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dewey said preserving floodplain wetlands provides a nonstructural approach to flood protection by allowing natural areas to store water during heavy rainfall and tropical storms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Protecting those natural flood storage areas is more cost-effective than relying solely on engineered flood-control structures, according to Dewey.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At the workshop, staff showed satellite imagery comparing conditions before and after Hurricane Milton to illustrate how wetlands temporarily held floodwaters as lakes and the St. Johns River expanded beyond their normal boundaries. Officials also highlighted the district\u2019s work on a flood forecasting\u00a0model that is\u00a0supported by a $1.5 million\u00a0grant and\u00a0is expected to be completed in 2027.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf that water isn\u2019t stored, it\u2019s got to go somewhere,\u201d\u00a0Dewey\u00a0told\u00a0the Chief.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s quite a bit more expensive to try to build structural-type protections as opposed to preserving our lands and preserving those natural floodplain areas.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The district also is collaborating with counties and municipalities as they update aging watershed studies and pursue regional water resource\u00a0projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are collaborating with those local governments because \u2026 to get a larger regional project underway, it takes multiple entities\u00a0when you start to seek out funding,\u201d Dewey said. \u201cYou have a much better chance at different possible funding opportunities.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0St. Johns River Water Management District, which also manages the\u00a0Lake Apopka North Shore restoration area and the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive<\/a>,\u00a0is accepting public comments through\u00a0Aug. 13 on the draft. The draft is\u00a0scheduled to be posted Thursday on the district\u2019s website before being\u00a0considered for\u00a0approval by the Governing Board in September.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6.png\")
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