Natural Canvas

When you think of Florida and water, you usually focus your attention on the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. However, if you were to fly over the state for the first time, especially central and south Florida, you might think that there is more freshwater than land. Florida is riddled with naturally formed and manmade lakes, retention ponds, and a network of canals. 

Some estimates suggest that there are over 8,000 lakes greater than one acre in area and thousands of miles of canals. Lakes, retention ponds and canals all play a vital role in a variety of functions including flood control, water conveyance, drainage, irrigation, stormwater treatment, water supply, navigation, water quality improvements, environmental management – sustaining natural communities in lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries – and recreation.