Most bio-diverse estuary in North America: Indian River Lagoon in the Loxahatchee Watershed

 

Loxahatchee River at
Jonathan Dickinson Park
Florida State Archives/Florida Memory
/Jameson

Palm Beach and Martin Counties

By Jane Feehan

Once called the Jupiter River, the
Loxahatchee River flows from the Grassy Waters Preserve, west of
I-95, east to the Jupiter Inlet and out into the Atlantic Ocean. A slow, meandering river, it's the focal point of the Loxahatchee River Watershed. The watershed encompasses 260 square miles; about 63 percent remains in natural areas. Below are some interesting Loxahatchee River facts and, perhaps, reasons to visit or become involved in this river system's preservation.

• In 1985, it was federally designated Florida’s first Wild and Scenic River.
• The river spans nearly 15 miles, 7.6 of it into the Northwest Fork, the segement that’s now designated a Wild and Scenic River.
• The river is comprised of three main forks: Northwest, North and Southwest forks.
• Much of the Wild and Scenic part runs through Jonathan Dickinson State Park, off U.S 1, and through Riverbend Park, west on Indiantown Road.
• Its 260 mile watershed includes Jupiter, Tequesta, Juno Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound, and Palm Beach Gardens.
• The river encompasses several ecosystems: cypress swamp, pine uplands, pine scrub, freshwater marshes, hardwood hammock, mangrove swamp, seagrass beds, estuary and coastal dunes.
• With 4,300 species of plants and animals, the river’s Indian River Lagoon is the most bio-diverse estuary in North America.
• Loxahatchee River Watershed is home to threatened species, the Sandhill Crane and Peregrin Falcon, and to endangered species, the Wood Stork and Manatee.

Sources:

 http://www.loxahatcheeriver.org

Miami Herald Nov. 12, 1985

Tags: Loxahatchee River, Florida travel, Florida sights, Florida attractions, Florida tourism, Florida rivers, Florida's first Wild and Scenic River, 

Jonathan Dickinson State Park