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Loxahatchee River
A unique Florida treasure...
Ecosystem and Habitats
This watershed is home
to many rare and
endangered species,
such as the wood stork
and four petal paw-paw,
a shrub found only in
this area.
Changes Over Time
Dredging, construction
of canals and
highways, and water
use have changed
water flow patterns,
degraded water
quality, and resulted in
the loss of natural
areas.
Protecting the River
Many efforts are under
way to protect and
restore the Loxahatchee
River and its remaining
260-square-mile
watershed.
Loxahatchee River District
The Loxahatchee River
District is the leading
authority on the
Loxahatchee River. It
has scientific and
educational programs,
and serves as an
advisory agency for the
many diverse efforts
under way.
Looking at the Watershed
The Loxahatchee River covers
approximately 260 square miles.
There are several key habitats
contained within this ecosystem.
Grassy Waters Preserve
The headwaters of the river are located
in Grassy Waters Preserve. Sawgrass,
spike rush, cypress trees, and hardwood
hammocks are the dominant habitats in
this area.
Grassy Waters Preserve
Historically, the water flowed from the
Grassy Water marshes and swamps
through
the
Loxahatchee
Slough
northward to the Southwest and
Northwest Forks of the Loxahatchee River.
Three forks of the River
The Southwest Fork:
Three forks of the River
The North Fork:
Three forks of the River
The Northwest Fork:
Three forks of the River
The Wild and Scenic
portion of the river is in
the Northwest Fork
Wild and Scenic River
The pristine waters of Florida’s first Wild
and Scenic River are a beautiful reminder of
the joys of being in nature.
Wild and Scenic River
Cypress trees and sabal palms tower over you as you
quietly canoe down the meandering river. The water
here is fresh, and often you will see turtles and alligators
basking in the sun and ospreys soaring above you.
Wild and Scenic River
Jonathan Dickinson State Park includes significant portions of the
Northwest Fork. For this reason, many areas remain untouched
by human development and impacts.
Southwest Fork
Today, the C-18 canal is connected to the Southwest Fork for
flood control. During a flood control release, the structure
near Indiantown Road and I-95 (S-46) is opened and
freshwater moves into the Southwest Fork of the river.
Southwest Fork
The Southwest Fork has seen much residential and commercial
development in the last century, but it is still home to oyster
reefs. One oyster can clean up to 50 gallons per day!
North
Fork
The North Fork has also been developed extensively. Seawalls,
docks, and bridges are common along its banks.
Estuary
The downstream section of each fork is brackish, part
saltwater and part freshwater, and support many important
species such as mangroves, oysters, and seagrasses.
Central Embayment
All three forks flow into the Central Embayment area.
Central Embayment
This area provides wonderful recreational
opportunities for boaters.
Jupiter Inlet
The Central Embayment then flows out through the
Jupiter Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean and marine habitats.
Jupiter Inlet
This area provides marine habitat and is home to many
coral reef species.
Lagoons
The Indian River Lagoon to the north and the Lake Worth Creek
Aquatic Preserve to the south, also known as the Intracoastal
Waterway, also flows into the embayment/inlet area.
Lagoons
These two bodies of water are rich with marine species
and are an important nursery habitat for reef fish and
game fish such as snook and snapper.
With more than 4,300 species
of plants and animals, the
Indian River Lagoon is the
most biodiverse estuary in
North America.
Ecosystem
As you can see, the Loxahatchee River is a
diverse and complex ecosystem,
supporting a wide range of species.
Recreation
The Loxahatchee River is a vital part of our local
community. Many people live on the water and
enjoy its peacefulness and beauty. Others choose
to use the river for their recreation.
Recreation
The Loxahatchee River offers many “wild
and scenic” adventures.
Recreation
Fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling,
swimming, and hiking are all wonderful ways to
experience the Loxahatchee River.
Recreation
We are responsible for the health of the
river. Join the Loxahatchee River District
as we "Preserve Nature by Design".