2018 Map of Deep Lake SW

About this map

Royal Palm Hammock anchors the southeastern reaches of this landscape, where the vast wetlands of Collier County are defined by a rhythmic sequence of named prairies and strands. The map documents a transition from the dense swamp of the Fakahatchee Strand and Picayune Strand into open, ecologically distinct areas like Twelvemile Prairie and Soft Prairie. This 2018 survey reveals a grid of roads extending into the wilderness, such as Patterson Blvd and Merritt Blvd, which terminate abruptly as they meet the natural boundaries of the wetlands. Named features like Pretty Island and Dan House Prairie suggest a history of local navigation and land usage in a region where dry ground is a precious commodity. The nomenclature, featuring descriptive labels like Starvation Prairie and Burnt Flat Prairie, reflects the stark realities of the South Florida interior.