1974 Map of Airplane Prairie

About this map

Airplane Prairie and the surrounding Collier County wetlands are documented here in a detailed orthophotomap based on 1971 aerial photography. The landscape is defined by its distinctive karst and cypress strand patterns, where linear sloughs and circular cypress heads create a complex mosaic across the flat terrain. This survey captures the natural state of the Big Cypress swamp before significant development, highlighting features like the Deep Lake Strand and East Crossing Strand which serve as vital drainage corridors. The imagery also identifies localized landmarks such as The Bamboos and the small waters of Mud Lake. Because this is an orthophotomap, the sheet provides a direct visual record of vegetation density and land cover that standard topographic contours often generalize.