Hillsboro Canal facts for kids
The Hillsboro Canal is an important waterway in southeastern Florida. It helps manage water flow in the region and is also a popular spot for outdoor activities. For most of its path, the canal forms the boundary between Broward and Palm Beach counties.
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Where is the Hillsboro Canal?
The Hillsboro Canal starts at Lake Okeechobee, which is a very large lake in Florida. It begins at a special water control structure called S-2, located west of Belle Glade, Florida. From there, the canal flows southeast.
Canal's Journey
As the canal moves southeast, it passes near the southern edge of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. This area is mostly rural with few people living there. The canal follows Loxahatchee Road for a while.
Further east, where more people live, the canal turns and flows directly eastward. This part of the canal continues to form the border between Broward and Palm Beach counties. Near its eastern end, the canal reaches the Intracoastal Waterway. Here, the cities of Boca Raton are to the north and Deerfield Beach are to the south. Even with some curves, the canal still marks the county line.
Fun on the Water
About 10 miles of the Hillsboro Canal are easy to travel by boat. This makes it a favorite place for people who enjoy boating and fishing. You can often see boats and people fishing along its banks.
Helping the Everglades
The Hillsboro Canal plays a role in the big project to restore the Everglades. The Everglades is a unique wetland ecosystem that needs protection. One problem in the Everglades is too many nutrients, like phosphorus, in the water. These come from farms and cities.
Cleaning the Water
To help clean the water, some of the Hillsboro Canal's flow was changed in 2001. Water from the canal is now sent to a special wetland area called STA-2. STA stands for "Stormwater Treatment Area." These areas are like natural filters. They use plants to remove extra nutrients from the water before it flows into other parts of the Everglades. This helps make the water cleaner and healthier for the plants and animals that live there.
