Snapper Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snapper Creek |
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Snapper Creek east of the Florida Turnpike
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Everglades 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| River mouth | Matheson Hammock Park 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Length | 4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 120 sq mi (310 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Snapper Creek is a small waterway, or creek, located in the sunny state of Florida in the United States. It flows from the famous Everglades wetlands all the way to Biscayne Bay, which is part of Biscayne National Park.
This creek is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long. It's located about 15 miles (24 km) south of Downtown Miami. As it flows, Snapper Creek passes through the neighborhoods of Kendall and Coral Gables in the Miami area. The creek connects to the Snapper Creek Canal, which stretches another 10 miles (16 km) deeper into the Everglades.
History of Snapper Creek
Snapper Creek wasn't always as deep as it is today. The parts of the creek further west were originally quite shallow. Over time, these areas were dredged, which means they were dug out to make them deeper. The original creek was also connected to a larger system of canals.
Why the Creek Was Changed
These changes were made to help prevent flooding. In the 1940s, the Florida State Board of Conservation started these efforts. They worked to create the South Florida Water Management District in 1948.
The need for better flood protection became even more important after a big hurricane hit South Florida in 1947. Also, many more people moved to the Greater Miami area after World War II, leading to more buildings and less natural land. This made flood control even more necessary.
