Myakka River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Myakka River
Myakka River in El Jobean
Map of Myakka River in Florida
Country	United States
State	Florida
Counties	Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte
District	Southwest Florida Water Management District
Physical characteristics
River mouth	Gulf of Mexico Charlotte Harbor 26°54′52″N 82°09′51″W / 26.9145°N 82.1643°W / 26.9145; -82.1643
Length	72 miles (116 km)
Basin features
River system	Myakka River Watershed
Basin size	314.7 square miles (815 km2)
Landmarks	Myakka River State Park, T. Mabry Carlton Reserve, Snook Haven, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, Jelks Preserve, Myakka State Forest, Myakka Park
Population	72,317
Waterbodies	Lake Myakka

The Myakka River is a river in southwestern Florida. It arises near the Hardee-Manatee county line and flows southwest and then southeast through Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties to Charlotte Harbor, an arm of the Gulf of Mexico. The river is 72 miles (116 km) long and has a drainage basin of 314.7 square miles (815 km²). The last 20 miles (32 km) of the river is tidal and brackish.

The Myakka River remains relatively undeveloped. A 12-mile (19 km) stretch of the river is preserved in Myakka River State Park. A 34-mile (55 km) portion of the river in Sarasota County (including all of the park) was designated as a state Wild and Scenic River in 1985 by the Florida Legislature.

Tributaries

• Myakkahatchee Creek