Water management in Florida has a long history that has shaped and molded the Florida we know today. These pages give a glimpse into events in the state’s history that have helped form water management policy. Particular emphasis is given to the history of the St. Johns River Water Management District. This history is captured from many sources — journal notations made by explorers, state archives, official records of the District, and newspaper articles. When exact dates are known, they are listed; however, this history is not intended to be a complete listing of all events. Rather it is an overview as we learn about Florida’s water history.

Visit the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program Web site to hear podcasts (episodes 5 and 6) and see floridawaterhistory.com to view historic documents.