DYK: Using Computer Models to Help Protect South Florida's Water Resources

Computer models are important and powerful tools used by engineers, scientists and data analysts to monitor, evaluate, study, and protect South Florida's water resources and ecosystems.

DID YOU KNOW: The South Florida Water Management District uses comprehensive regional and local computer modeling to support its mission and help guide important water management decisions.

DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS: Rooted in mathematics, physics and hydrology, these comprehensive models allow technical staff to simulate complex systems and test various conditions and scenarios to support planning and optimize operations throughout the District's 16-county region.

COMPLEX SIMULATIONS: In South Florida's complex water management system, hydrologic, hydraulic, hydrodynamic and hydrogeological models are used for evaluation, planning and simulating water control operations under different climatic and hydrologic scenarios.

Water quality and ecological models are also used to evaluate other processes vital to the health of South Florida's ecosystem.

OPTIMIZING OPERATIONS AND SUPPORTING PLANNING: The District uses comprehensive computer modeling to:

✅ Evaluate water management operations.

✅ Provide near real-time spatial perspectives of water elevation, water depth, water elevation changes and more.

✅ Monitor and evaluate surface water systems and groundwater aquifer systems.

✅ Simulate groundwater and surface water flows to guide water supply, flood control planning and related water quality aspects to support ecosystem restoration planning.

✅ Build consensus and better understand how the system works, identify potential vulnerabilities and develop improved solutions.

✅ Identify cost-effective ways to enhance water management infrastructure.

✅ Complement field measurements and observations.

LEARN MORE: Scientific and technical data provided by multiple computer models help the District advance Everglades restoration projects, implement water quality improvements, enhance flood control, and meet the region's water needs.

We encourage you to visit our Modeling Webpage to learn more about how computer models are used to support the District's mission.