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2012 Map of Blackwater Sound

Name: 2012 Topographic Map of Blackwater Sound
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2012
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2012

About this map

Blackwater Sound serves as the dominant aquatic feature of this upper Keys landscape, where a complex network of channels and basins connects the Florida mainland to the Atlantic. Residential development is concentrated along the eastern corridor of Key Largo, specifically within neighborhoods like Sexton Cove and Anglers Park. These communities are defined by a grid of streets such as Barracuda Blvd and Transylvania Ave, many of which provide direct water access via artificial canals.

The map reveals the intricate natural geography of the region, including the Cormorant Rookeries and numerous islands like Cross Key and Shell Key. The narrow passage of Jewfish Cr remains a critical navigation point between Barnes Sound and the larger sound, while the southern reaches of the sheet transition into the sheltered waters of Tarpon Basin and Little Buttonwood Sound. This survey captures the delicate balance between the established coastal settlements and the sprawling mangrove and seagrass environments of the backcountry.