Public Invited to Help Identify Flood Prone Areas in the Chassahowitzka River Watershed

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve 
identification of flood prone areas in Citrus County. Residents living in the Chassahowitzka River 
watershed are invited to attend an open house on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 4:00p.m. The meeting 
will take place at the Citrus County Government Building, located at 3600 W. Sovereign Path in 
Lecanto.

District representatives will present preliminary data for flood prone areas, explain the basis 
behind the findings, and gather additional information that may be used to identify areas which may 
be prone to flooding. After addressing public comments, information will be finalized and presented 
to the District’s Governing Board for approval to use the data for regulatory purposes. This 
information is not currently being incorporated into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs); however, it may be used in future DFIRM updates.

Residents unable to attend the open house may provide virtual public comment now through December 
30, 2022, at WaterMatters.org/Floodplain. The website will present preliminary data for flood prone 
areas and the public will have the opportunity to submit comments.

The information, which identifies areas prone to flooding, can be used by local governments for 
land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, 
to reduce flood risks, to preserve land and water resources, and for emergency planning. It will 
also provide valuable information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting 
property.

For  more  information  or  to  find  out  which  watershed  you  live  in,  please  visit 
WaterMatters.org/Floodplain or call the District at (352) 415-0974.