Indian River Lagoon
| Indian River Lagoon | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of Indian River Lagoon
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Map of lagoon and surrounding area
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Basin | |
| Main source | Sea level |
| Basin size | 2,187.5 sq mi (5,666 km2) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 156 mi (251 km) |
Coordinates: 28°03′19″N 80°34′34″W / 28.05528°N 80.57611°W
The Indian River Lagoon is a grouping of three lagoons: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and the Indian River, on the Atlantic Coast of Florida; it is the most biodiverse lagoon ecosystem in the Northern hemisphere and is home to more than 3,000 species of plants and animals.
The Lagoon contains five state parks, four federal wildlife refuges and a national seashore.
The Indian River Lagoon was originally known as the Rio de Ais, after the Ais Indian tribe, who lived along the east coast of Florida.
Prior to the arrival of the railroad, the river was once an essential transportation link.
From 1989 to 2013, the population along the lagoon increased 50% to 1.6 million people.
The full length of the Indian River Lagoon is 156 miles (251 km), extending from Ponce de León Inlet in Volusia County, Florida, to Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County, Florida, and includes Cape Canaveral. Lake Okeechobee is connected to the lagoon by the Okeechobee Waterway and the St. Lucie River meeting in Sewall's Point.
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Wikipedia