Myakka River

Myakka River
Myakka River in El Jobean
Map of Myakka River in Florida
EtymologyMikasuki: Myakka (big water)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountiesManatee, Sarasota, Charlotte
DistrictSouthwest Florida Water Management District
Physical characteristics
MouthGulf of Mexico
 • location
Charlotte Harbor
 • coordinates
26°54′52″N 82°09′51″W / 26.9145°N 82.1643°W / 26.9145; -82.1643
Length72 miles (116 km)
Basin size314.7 square miles (815 km2)[1]
Basin features
River systemMyakka River Watershed
LandmarksMyakka River State Park, T. Mabry Carlton Reserve, Snook Haven, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, Jelks Preserve, Myakka State Forest, Myakka Park
Population72,317[2]
WaterbodiesLake Myakka

The Myakka River is a river in southwestern Florida. It arises near the Hardee-Manatee county line and flows southwest and then southeast through Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties to Charlotte Harbor, an arm of the Gulf of Mexico. The river is 72 miles (116 km) long and has a drainage basin of 602 square miles (1559.2 km2),[3] of which 314.7 square miles (815 km2) lies in Sarasota county.[4] The last 20 miles (32 km) of the river is tidal and brackish.

The Myakka River remains relatively undeveloped. A 12-mile (19 km) stretch of the river is preserved in Myakka River State Park. A 34-mile (55 km) portion of the river in Sarasota County (including all of the park) was designated as a state Wild and Scenic River in 1985 by the Florida Legislature. Portions of the ancient water basin, however, have been altered by canals.[5] In 2022, the river flooding during Hurricane Ian resulted in the temporary closing of 14 miles of Interstate 75 near Port Charlotte.[6]

Tributaries

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Myakka River: Overview & Current Conditions". Sarasota County Water Atlas. University of South Florida Water Institute. Sarasota County. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  2. ^ "Myakka River Watershed: Geography and Land Use". Sarasota County Water Atlas. University of South Florida Water Institute. Sarasota County. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  3. ^ Hammett, K. M. (1992). Physical Processes, Salinity Characteristics, and Potential Salinity Changes Due to Freshwater Withdrawals in the Tidal Myakka River, Florida. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
  4. ^ Hammett, K. M. (1992). Physical Processes, Salinity Characteristics, and Potential Salinity Changes Due to Freshwater Withdrawals in the Tidal Myakka River, Florida. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
  5. ^ Beever, Lisa B. (2009). “From Data to Policy: the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Partnership in Action.” Florida Scientist, vol. 72, no. 4, p. 275. JSTOR website. Retrieved 2 Oct. 2022.
  6. ^ Meg Kinnard, Adriana Gomez Licon, et al. (1 October 2022). "Dozens dead from Ian, one of strongest, costliest US storms". AP website Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  • Dorsey, Tim and Barry, Rick. 1990. Myakka River. in Marth, Del and Marty Marth, eds. The Rivers of Florida. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. ISBN 0-910923-70-1.