2015 Map of California Slough

About this map

Big Cypress National Preserve defines the vast majority of this landscape at the boundary of Collier and Broward counties. The terrain is characterized by the expansive wetland of Doctors Prairie and the slow-moving waters of California Slough. Human engineering is evident in the straight course of the Interceptor Canal, which cuts through the native hydrology to manage water flow across the region. A handful of access routes, including Big Cypress Rd, Miller Rd, and Upper Creek Rd, penetrate this protected wilderness, providing a rare glimpse into the interior of the Everglades ecosystem as it existed in the early twenty-first century. This survey documents the intersection of natural drainage patterns and mid-century water management infrastructure near Tarpan Lake.