Banana River: Difference between revisions

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The '''Banana River''' is a 31 mile long [[lagoon]] that lies between [[Cape Canaveral]] and [[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]] in [[Brevard County, Florida]]. It is part of the [[Indian River Lagoon National Estuary]] system, and connects at its south end to the [[Indian River]]; it is the only part of the lagoon system not in the [[Intracoastal Waterway]]. It also has an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean via a lock into [[Port Canaveral]]. The lagoon includes [[salt marsh]]es, [[mangrove]] [[swamp]]s, [[seagrass]] beds, drift [[algae]], [[oyster]] [[shoal|bars]], [[mudflat|tidal flats]], and [[Dredging|spoil]] islands, providing habitats for many marine species.These are brackish waters mixed of salt and fresh water; waist deep with a soft bottom sand/grass. Commercial and recreational activities in the lagoon generate more than US$ 800 million annually for the local economy.
The '''Banana River''' is a 31 mile long lagoon that lies between [[Cape Canaveral]] and [[Merritt Island]] in [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard]]. It is part of the [[Indian River Lagoon]] estuary, and connects at its south end to the [[Indian River]]. It also has an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean via a lock into [[Port Canaveral]]. The lagoon includes salt marshes, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, drift algae, oyster bars, mud flats, and spoil islands, providing habitats for many marine species.These are brackish waters mixed of salt and fresh water; waist deep with a soft bottom sand/grass. Commercial and recreational activities in the lagoon generate more than US$ 800 million annually for the local economy.
 
Historically, the Banana River was a continuous waterway that completely separated Merritt Island from Cape Canaveral (which was considered part of the mainland until the construction of the [[Haulover Canal]]).  In 1964, the Crawlerway was built at Kennedy Space Center, connecting Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral and dividing the Banana River into northern and southern lagoons.


Historically, the Banana River was a continuous waterway that completely separated Merritt Island from Cape Canaveral (which was considered part of the mainland until the construction of the [[Haulover Canal]]).  In 1964, the Crawlerway was built at [[Kennedy Space Center]], connecting Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral and dividing the Banana River into northern and southern lagoons.
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==Natural history==
==Natural history==
The lagoon contains [[dolphin]]s, [[manatee]], and [[stingray]]s.<ref>{{Cite news | first= | last= | title=Gliding along the bottom | url=| work= | newspaper=[[Florida Today]] | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 2B | date=22 February 2011 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref>
The lagoon contains dolphins, manatees, and stingrays.


==See also==
==See also==
{{commons category|Banana River (Florida)|Banana River}}
*[[Canaveral Barge Canal]]
*[[Canaveral Barge Canal]]


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==References==
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==Further reading==
*[http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/banana/ About the Banana River Aquatic Preserve]


==Further reading==
*{{cite web|url=http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/banana/|website=dept.state.fl.us|title= About the Banana River Aquatic Preserve}}
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[[Category:Banana River]]
[[Category:Banana River]]

Revision as of 08:11, October 7, 2019


The Banana River is a 31 mile long lagoon that lies between Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island in Brevard. It is part of the Indian River Lagoon estuary, and connects at its south end to the Indian River. It also has an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean via a lock into Port Canaveral. The lagoon includes salt marshes, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, drift algae, oyster bars, mud flats, and spoil islands, providing habitats for many marine species.These are brackish waters mixed of salt and fresh water; waist deep with a soft bottom sand/grass. Commercial and recreational activities in the lagoon generate more than US$ 800 million annually for the local economy.

Historically, the Banana River was a continuous waterway that completely separated Merritt Island from Cape Canaveral (which was considered part of the mainland until the construction of the Haulover Canal). In 1964, the Crawlerway was built at Kennedy Space Center, connecting Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral and dividing the Banana River into northern and southern lagoons.

Natural history

The lagoon contains dolphins, manatees, and stingrays.

See also

Further reading