2018 Map of Long Island Marsh NW

About this map

The low-lying wetlands of DeSoto County dominate this 2018 survey, centered on the settlement of Joshua. This area is defined by a complex network of seasonal watercourses and marshes, including Joshua Creek and the meandering Honey Run. The landscape is dotted with hammocks—islands of hardwood trees amidst the wetter terrain—such as Turkey Hammock and Sour Orange Hammock. These features, along with Fourmile Island, suggest historical land use focused on cattle ranching and citrus, as indicated by the name Sour Orange Lake. Transport through this soggy environment is limited to straight-line corridors like the 4 Mile Grade Road, which cuts across the central wetlands. Further south, the map documents the drainage patterns of Tiger Bay Slough and Slippery Slough, providing a detailed look at the hydrology of the Florida interior before contemporary development.