Manatee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manatee River |
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Map of Manatee River in Florida
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 Location of the mouth in Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Counties | Manatee |
| District | Southwest Florida Water Management District |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Gulf of Mexico Tampa Bay 27°31′51″N 82°39′12″W / 27.5308703°N 82.6534319°W |
| Length | 36 miles (58 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Manatee River Watershed |
| Basin size | 360 square miles (930 km2) |
| Landmarks |
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| Waterbodies | Lake Manatee |
| Bridges |
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The Manatee River is a river in Florida, about 36 miles (58 km) long. It flows through Manatee County and empties into the Gulf of Mexico at the southern edge of Tampa Bay.
You can find lots of amazing animals in and around the river! Look for alligators, herons, manatees, and dolphins. Many types of fish live here too, like bass, bluegill, catfish, and gar. Sometimes, even bull sharks swim in the slightly salty water near where the river meets the ocean. If you enjoy paddling, you can explore the river using the Upper Manatee River Canoe Trail.
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Exploring the Manatee River
The Manatee River has a large area of land that drains into it, called a watershed. This watershed covers about 362 square miles (938 sq km). About halfway along the river, you'll find Lake Manatee. This is a large, artificial reservoir that helps store water.
The lower part of the river, below the dam, is an estuary. This means it's where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. The city of Bradenton and other smaller towns are built along the river's banks. The main stream that flows into the Manatee River is the Braden River. It runs through communities like River Club and Lakewood Ranch.
Manatee River Watershed
The Manatee River watershed is located in the Tampa Bay area of Manatee County. This entire area covers about 360 square miles (932 sq km). The Manatee River starts far inland and flows west for about 45 miles (72 km) towards the Gulf of Mexico and southern Tampa Bay.
Two main river systems make up the Manatee River Watershed: the Braden River and the Manatee River. Both of these rivers have been blocked by dams to create two important reservoirs. These reservoirs provide drinking water for people living nearby.
Water Supply Reservoirs
- Ward Lake (also called Bill Evers Reservoir) is on the narrower Braden River. This reservoir was built in the 1930s and covers about 255 acres (103 hectares). It provides most of the water for the city of Bradenton.
- Lake Manatee Reservoir is on the Manatee River. Built in 1967, this larger reservoir covers about 1,174 acres (475 hectares). It is the main water source for all of Manatee County.
River Landscapes
The Manatee River Watershed has three different types of landscapes: plains, lowlands, and uplands. These different areas mean the river flows through many varied environments. You can find hardwood swamps, flat woodlands, coastal lowlands, and marshes.
- Highlands are areas with scattered bushes, pine trees, and oak trees. The soil here usually drains water quite well.
- Marshes and Swamps have very wet soil that doesn't drain well. These areas are home to grasses that can live in water.
- Flatwoods are found in the uplands. They have poorly drained soils and are often covered with saw palmettos and slash pines.
Amazing Wildlife
The Manatee River is home to many incredible animals.
Aquatic Animals
Within the river itself, you can find manatees, alligators, and many kinds of fish. The Manatee River Estuary is a popular place for commercial fishing. Fishermen catch finfish, invertebrates, bait, and shrimp from its waters. Because of this, there are many rules about fishing here. As the river's name suggests, many manatees live in the river. These gentle mammals love warm water, so they move to the warmest parts of the river depending on the season.
Bird Species
Around the Manatee River, you can spot many different types of birds. Some, like the wood stork, are endangered species, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever. Other birds are considered threatened, such as the snowy plover, bald eagle, Florida scrub-jay, and peregrine falcon. You might also commonly see birds like the cattle egret, white ibis, great blue heron, and yellow-crowned night heron.
Human Impact on the River
Human activities have a big effect on the Manatee River and its watershed. As more people build homes and businesses around the river, the water quality has changed. One concern is the increasing use of certain chemicals that can get into the water.
When forested wetlands and uplands are removed for development, extra nutrients can build up in the Bill Evers Reservoir. Also, both the Bill Evers Reservoir and Lake Manatee Reservoir have shown higher levels of metals like lead, zinc, and copper. Protecting the river's environment is important for its future health.
