Santa Fe Swamp facts for kids
The Santa Fe Swamp is a large wetland area in Florida. It is mostly a "floodplain swamp," which means it's a low-lying area that often gets covered by water, especially when rivers overflow. This swamp covers about 7,046 acres.
The Santa Fe Swamp is very important because it's the beginning, or "headwaters," of the Santa Fe River. This river flows into the Suwannee River, and then eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. The swamp is located north of Lake Santa Fe and Little Lake Santa Fe, in Bradford County and Alachua County, Florida.
Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area
A big part of the swamp, about 5,356 acres, is protected as the Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA). This special area was given to the Suwannee River Water Management District in 1984. At that time, it was the largest and most important land donation for the environment in Florida's history.
This protected area helps keep the swamp healthy for all the plants and animals that live there. People can visit the Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area for fun activities like:
- Watching wildlife
- Hunting (in designated areas)
- Bicycling
- Hiking
- Horseback riding on special roads
This area is a great place to explore nature and see Florida's unique wildlife.
See also
In Spanish: Pantano de Santa Fe para niños
