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2018 Map of Chekika Island

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Chekika Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

Everglades National Park dominates this landscape, showing a vast wetland ecosystem defined by its subtle variations in elevation and hydrology. The area is characterized by numerous hammocks—small, slightly elevated islands of vegetation that stand out against the surrounding marshes. Notable examples like Vulture Hammock, Poinciana Hammock, and the curiously named Irongrape Hammock provide essential dry ground within the sawgrass plains.

Water moves slowly through the Shark River Slough, a primary drainage feature that dictates the environmental rhythms of the region. To the north, Chekika Island represents a significant local landmark, while Grossman Ridge to the southeast marks a subtle rise in the underlying limestone. Human engineering is represented by the Blue Shanty Canal, which cuts through the natural flow. This map captures the intricate balance between land and water in Miami-Dade County, recording named features like Johnny Buck Hammock and Gumbo Limbo Hammock that have long served as navigation points for those traversing the glades.