Indian River Lagoon Facts: Difference between revisions

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==Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Facts==
==Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Facts==
* The 156 mile long National Estuary's watershed covers an area of 2,284 square miles with 353 square miles of water surface area.
* The 156 mile long [[Indian River Lagoon Estuary|Indian River Lagoon National Estuary]] watershed covers an area of 2,284 square miles with 353 square miles of water surface area.<ref name="SJRWMDIRLfacts">
* The National Estuary spans six Florida East Coast counties: Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach County. 71% of the National Estuary lies within Brevard County.
* The national estuary spans six Florida East Coast counties: Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach County. 71% of the national estuary lies within Brevard County.
* Mosquito, Banana River, and Indian River brackish lagoons are the main water bodies in the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary.
* Mosquito, Banana River, and Indian River brackish water lagoons are the main water bodies in the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary.
* Averages 4' deep with shallow seagrass flats under 2ft deep. Dredged channels, basins, and canals are deeper. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel is maintained at an average 10-12ft depth by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
* Five saltwater Atlantic Ocean inlets connect to the national estuary: Ponce de Leon, Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, St. Lucie, and Jupiter inlets. Ponce de Leon and Jupiter are natural inlets, the other three are man-made cuts through the barrier island.
* Five Atlantic Ocean inlets: Ponce de Leon, Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, St. Lucie, and Jupiter inlets.
* Major freshwater tributaries feeding the Indian River Lagoon include the Eau Gallie, St. Sebastian, St. Lucie, and Loxahatchee rivers.
* Freshwater rivers: Eau Gallie River, St. Sebastian, St. Lucie, Loxahatchee
* The national estuary has a 4ft average depth with large shallow flats under 2ft deep. Dredged channels, basins, and canals are deeper. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel is maintained at an average 10-12ft depth by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
* 2,100 plant and 2,200 animal species are found in the national estuary.<ref name="SJRWMDIRLfacts" />
* The national estuary contains 27 percent of eastern Florida’s coastal salt marshes.<ref name="SJRWMDIRLfacts">
* The Indian River Lagoon fishery generates $30 million in revenues, providing 50% of the annual fish harvest on Florida's East Coast.<ref name="SJRWMDIRLfacts">




==Mosquito Lagoon Facts==
==Mosquito Lagoon Facts==
* Mosquito Lagoon lies within Volusia and Brevard Counties.
* Mosquito Lagoon is located in Volusia and Brevard Counties.
* Second largest lagoon in the National Estuary
* Second largest lagoon in the [[Indian River Lagoon Estuary|Indian River Lagoon National Estuary]]
* Majority lies within federal property that includes Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, and Kennedy Space Center
* Majority lies within federal property that includes Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, and Kennedy Space Center.
* Designated as an ''"Outstanding Florida Water"'' by the State of Florida.
* Designated as an ''"Outstanding Florida Water"'' by the State of Florida.
* Northern portion is a Florida Aquatic Preserve
* Northern portion is a Florida Aquatic Preserve
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==Indian River Facts==
==Indian River Facts==
* Indian River lies within 5 Florida East Coast counties: Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach County.
* Indian River lies within 5 Florida East Coast counties: Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach County.
* Indian River is the largest lagoon in the National Estuary at 121 miles long, .5-5 miles wide
* 121 mile long Indian River is the largest lagoon in the [[Indian River Lagoon Estuary|Indian River Lagoon National Estuary]].
* Four Atlantic Ocean inlets: Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Jupiter, and Palm Beach
* Four Atlantic Ocean inlets: Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Jupiter, and Palm Beach
* Freshwater rivers: Eau Gallie River, St. Sebastian, St. Lucie, Loxahatchee
* Freshwater rivers: Eau Gallie River, St. Sebastian, St. Lucie, Loxahatchee
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==Web Links==
==Web Links==
* [https://www.fau.edu/hboi/irlo/docs/IRL.Fact.Sheet.pdf Harbor Branch - IRL Facts and Figures]
* [https://www.fau.edu/hboi/irlo/docs/IRL.Fact.Sheet.pdf Harbor Branch - IRL Facts and Figures]
* [https://www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/indian-river-lagoon/facts/ St. Johns River Water Management District - Fast facts about the Indian River Lagoon]
==References==
<references>
<ref name="SJRWMDIRLfacts">[https://www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/indian-river-lagoon/facts/ SJRWMD - IRL Fast Facts], Retrieved: October 11, 2020</ref>
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Revision as of 09:51, October 11, 2020

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Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Facts

  • The 156 mile long Indian River Lagoon National Estuary watershed covers an area of 2,284 square miles with 353 square miles of water surface area.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

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Indian River Lagoon Project - Indian River Lagoon Facts