 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Loxahatchee River is located in the southeastern region of Florida’s Atlantic coast near Jupiter. The river watershed encompasses 240 square miles, extending from southern Martin County into northern Palm Beach County. The system is fully marine in and near the Jupiter Inlet, with salinities decreasing until freshwater dominates in upper reaches of the river. Seagrasses and oysters thrive in certain parts of the river, and flora and fauna are diverse. For extensive detail on this fascinating river system, see the Restoration Plan for the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
More than 40 public and private entities, including the Loxahatchee River District, share a vigorous desire not only to understand more about the history of the Loxahatchee River, but also to carry forth effective environmental management programs to protect it. Plans such as the Northern Palm Beach County Comprehensive Water Management Plan, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative are working to address issues like stormwater runoff, habitat restoration and freshwater flow - and to ensure the beauty and environmental significance of this river are forever preserved.
In 1983, the Loxahatchee was designated a Wild and Scenic River by the federal government. The Wild and Scenic River designation offers the Loxahatchee River protection from detrimental construction, by mandating policies to minimize repercussions associated with necessary construction (e.g., dams). The establishment of the Arthur R. Marshall National Wildlife Refuge provides the Loxahatchee River and estuary with protections outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge system, such as strict enforcement of Federal laws concerning wildlife and endangered species. The Lake-Worth Loxahatchee Aquatic Preserve is a state run program meant to preserve the wildlife and cultural heritage of the Loxahatchee River and estuary. The Florida State Park system established the Jonathan Dickinson State Park in 1950. All of these designations contribute to conserving and managing the diverse resources the river supports.
Bird Island
A natural or seasonal influx of freshwater is vital to maintaining the Loxahatchee River and its associated ecosystems. Intensive population growth, resulting urbanization and large-scale water management scenarios associated with the Loxahatchee River has altered the natural, seasonal fresh water-flow patterns. To mitigate these impacts to the natural system, a comprehensive plan entitled The Restoration Plan for the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River was developed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Southeast District Office (EPA-SED), and the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District. A key and central feature of is the focus on adaptive management. The plan emphasizes the need for continued research and up-to-date models to ensure proper management practices are implemented.
One of the primary goals of the Adopt a Fish, Adopt a School program is to provide specific pieces of information that help develop these management strategies. For example, fish movements may be especially sensitive to freshwater discharges during the summer/fall wet season. Such movement patterns may reflect changes in fish distribution or behavior that may result following an increase in freshwater discharge into the river system. Preliminary snook movements perhaps reflect reaction to seasonal salinity regimes (Track a Fish maps). Please visit the page frequently as we update our snook and snapper movement data.
Learn more about the Loxahatchee
Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative
Restoration Plan for the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River
Seagrass Report by Loxahatchee River District
Map of the Lake-Worth Loxahatchee Aquatic Preserve
Map of Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Principle partners for Loxahatchee River Adopt a Fish, Adopt a School Program:
- Loxahatchee River District
www.loxahatcheeriver.org
-
Craig Layman Ph.D., Florida International University
-
Samantha Whitcraft,
University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Science