Hidden Waters Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hidden Waters Preserve |
|
|---|---|
 Hidden Waters Preserve
Location in Florida
|
|
| Location | Lake County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Eustis, Florida |
| Area | 90 acres (36 ha) |
| Established | 1996 |
| Governing body | Lake County Water Authority |
Hidden Waters Preserve is a special nature reserve located near Eustis, Florida. It's a wonderful place to explore and learn about nature. This preserve helps protect a huge natural hole in the ground called a sinkhole, and its beautiful lake, Lake Alfred.
Contents
Exploring Hidden Waters Preserve
Hidden Waters Preserve is quite unique because the whole area is actually a very deep sinkhole. A sinkhole is like a giant bowl in the ground, formed when underground caves collapse. At the very bottom of this big sinkhole is a lake called Lake Alfred.
Amazing Nature
On the eastern side of the preserve, you'll find an old-growth Hardwood Hammock. This is a forest with very old, tall trees. It protects a deep ravine, which is like a small canyon. This ravine was formed by water slowly wearing away the land. It helps feed Lake Alfred with water from nearby Lake Irma and Lake Joanna.
Plants and Trees
The tall trees in the Hardwood Hammock include American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra), Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and Laurel Oak (Quercus hemisphaerica). Closer to the ground, you might see plants like Elderberry, Royal Fern (Osmunda spectabilis), Netted Chain Fern (Lorinseria), and Water Oak (Quercus nigra).
Around the edges of the preserve, there are areas called Sandhills. These sandy areas are home to many young Longleaf Pine trees. These pines grew after the original, older Longleaf Pines were cut down a long time ago.
Cool Animals
When you go hiking in the preserve, you might spot burrows, which are underground tunnels, made by gopher tortoises. These tortoises are common here! Other animals that live in Hidden Waters Preserve include raccoons, ducks, foxes, and hawks flying overhead. It's a great place to see Florida's wildlife.
A Look Back: The History of Hidden Waters Preserve
The land where Hidden Waters Preserve now stands has a long and interesting history.
From Forests to Golf Courses
When people first started settling in this area, the Sandhills were covered with tall Longleaf Pines. These trees were cut down for their wood. Only the Hardwood Hammock, on the eastern slopes near Lake Alfred, was left untouched.
Later, on January 24, 1922, the Lake County Country Club opened on this site. The area around Lake Alfred became a golf course! However, the country club closed its doors in the 1940s.
In the 1950s, the land around Lake Alfred was used for growing citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits. These groves thrived until very cold weather in the 1980s damaged them. After that, Lake Alfred was sadly used as an illegal dump, where people threw away trash.
Becoming a Nature Preserve
Luckily, in 1996, the Lake County Water Authority stepped in. They bought the land to protect it, and that's how it became Hidden Waters Preserve. To make it a great place for everyone to enjoy, hiking trails were added. Now, it's a beautiful spot where people can connect with nature and learn about Florida's unique environment.
