1973 Map of Big Lake

About this map

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge dominates this orthophotomap, showing a complex landscape of sawgrass and tree islands in the early 1970s. The aerial imagery captures the unique texture of Conservation Area No 1, where water levels are managed and water impounded periodically in this area affects the local environment. A solitary landmark, Indian Camp, sits amidst the wetlands, hinting at the long history of human adaptation to these flooded prairies. Along the southern periphery, the L-39 Canal represents the massive engineering efforts used to control the flow of the Everglades. Within the expanse of vegetation, specific open water bodies like Big Lake and Bobs Lake are clearly visible, serving as vital aquatic pockets in a vast, saturated wilderness.