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Early Florida settlers wanted to drain the Everglades, a swampland covering about 4,000 square miles in south Florida. The goal was to create farmland by digging canals that would draw off the swamp water and allow it to flow to the ocean. ... Florida's reclamation efforts were paralyzed by financial failure.
- Who was responsible for draining the Everglades?
- What destroyed the Everglades?
- What were the original reasons that the Everglades were altered?
- What happened to the water flow in the Everglades?
- Why is it important to save the Everglades?
- Why does Florida have so many canals?
- What problems are the Everglades facing?
- Why is the Everglades so special?
- What are the main threats to the Everglades?
- What was the purpose of draining the Everglades during the 19th and 20th century?
- What state is Lake Okeechobee in?
- How are the Everglades being restored?
- Can you drink Everglades water?
- Why is water important to the Everglades?
- How deep is the water in the Everglades?
Who was responsible for draining the Everglades?
The destruction and drainage of the Florida Everglades date back to the 19th century. Most people assume that when the settlers planted their roots here they began to drain the Everglades. Actually, it was the United States military that began draining the Everglades to try and flush out the Seminole Indians.
What destroyed the Everglades?
Urban development, industry, and agriculture pressures have destroyed more than half of the original Everglades. Ever-increasing population growth along with industry in south Florida has resulted in large metropolitan areas and rising pressures on the surrounding natural environments.
What were the original reasons that the Everglades were altered?
A comprehensive Federal-State water-management effort in the 1950s and 1960s was prompted by drought and widespread fires in 1944 to 1945 and renewed flooding in 1947 to 1948. The primary motivation was flood control and water supply for the growing urban areas along the Atlantic coast.
What happened to the water flow in the Everglades?
Water was rerouted by a series of pumps, canals, levees, and other structures. 50% of its original wetlands were lost. The water that used to fill the lake and overflow the southern lip is now sent out to sea along the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Canals, while the southern Everglades is starved for freshwater.
Why is it important to save the Everglades?
The Everglades are essential for fish and wildlife, but the system also provides enormous benefits to people, as it: Provides drinking water for more than 8 million Floridians. Protects communities from hurricanes and floods. Supports Florida's $1.2 billion fishing industry.
Why does Florida have so many canals?
Florida has a rich history of agriculture which boomed with the construction of canals that drained fertile land, controlled seasonal flooding, and provided reliable irrigation. Farmers can drain water from their farms during the wet season and retrieve stored water during the dry season.
What problems are the Everglades facing?
The two biggest threats to the Everglades ecosystem are water quality and water quantity. With rapid development on both coasts and an expanding agriculture industry, the human demand for water is increasing rapidly while the supply is not changing.
Why is the Everglades so special?
The Everglades is a unique treasure found in South Florida. The Everglades is the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the United States. It consists of 1.5 million acres of saw grass marshes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks dominated by wetlands. It is home to endangered, rare, and exotic wildlife.
What are the main threats to the Everglades?
Despite protection of a significant portion of the historic Everglades and recognition as an international biosphere reserve, the ecosystem faces severe threats from the impact of surrounding urban sprawl, ecologically unsound water management, agricultural development, invasion of exotic species, and fire.
What was the purpose of draining the Everglades during the 19th and 20th century?
The goal was to create farmland by digging canals that would draw off the swamp water and allow it to flow to the ocean. Most people thought that draining the Everglades would be as simple as pulling the plug in a bathtub (Blake 1980, 4).
What state is Lake Okeechobee in?
Lake Okeechobee, lake in southeastern Florida, U.S., and the third largest freshwater lake wholly within the country (after Lake Michigan and Iliamna Lake, Alaska). The lake lies about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of West Palm Beach at the northern edge of the Everglades.
How are the Everglades being restored?
Approved by Congress in 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) encompassed 68 components to be completed in 20 to 30 years at a cost of $7.8 billion. The plan includes constructing reservoirs, removing levees, filling canals and building structures like the S-333N.
Can you drink Everglades water?
Position the water above your fire until it boils to kill any bacteria; making it safe to drink. "In the summertime the majority of the Everglades is covered in one to three feet of water," says Singer.
Why is water important to the Everglades?
Water is an important element necessary for the Everglades' survival. ... Without water, the marshes would dry up, the river of grass would cease to flow, plants would dry up, the fish would have no home, and the other animals would have no water to drink.
How deep is the water in the Everglades?
The water in the Everglades is only on average around 4 to 5 feet deep and the deepest point is around 9 feet.
