lake worth lagoon - palm beach county,...

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L A K E W O R T H L A G O O N

PHOTO: JODY LANE PHOTOGRAPHY, L AGOON LIGHTS

Lake Worth Lagoon

T•I •M •E •L•I •N •E1870s: Settlers begin to build home sites around “Lake Worth,” a freshwater lake. It is named after General William Worth.

1877: Pioneers dig the first stable inlet north of its current location (Lake Worth Inlet), and Lake Worth begins to change into a saltwater lagoon.

1885 – 1892: Because a letter sent from Palm Beach to Miami has to travel by boat and rail through New York City and Havana, Cuba – a two-month journey – the first U.S. Mail route by the Barefoot Mailmen starts carrying mail by boat and on foot from Jupiter to Miami, a one-week round trip.

Late 1800s: Henry Flagler builds the Florida East Coast Railroad from St. Augustine to Palm Beach. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is dredged from Lake Worth Lagoon to Jupiter Inlet.

Early 1900s: Flagler extends the railroad to Key West. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is completed from the Lake Worth Lagoon to Biscayne Bay.

1925: Lake Worth Inlet is deepened and widened to improve shipping, transportation and water quality. The sediment dredged to enhance the inlet creates Peanut Island. To provide drainage for western development, the West Palm Beach Canal (C-51 Canal) is dredged, creating a significant freshwater inflow into the lagoon.

1927: South Lake Worth Inlet is completed.

Mid-1900s: Additional canals are dredged to allow for development, increasing stormwater inflow into the lagoon. Pollutants from freshwater and sewage inflows result in unacceptable water quality. Seagrass populations in Lake Worth Lagoon decline.

1960s – present: During extensive cleanup efforts, sewage is diverted to treatment plants. However, freshwater discharges from drainage canals remain a source of stormwater pollution. Seawalls now replace most of the mangrove shoreline.

1990: The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management publishes

a Lake Worth Lagoon Natural Resources Inventory and Resource Enhancement Study. Environmental restoration efforts begin.

1990s: Palm Beach County restores Munyon Island and places artificial reefs in the lagoon. Both projects increase fish habitat. Studies show that seagrass populations have increased. Seasonal coastal cleanup days include the lagoon.

1998: A management plan is developed to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, provide for human uses of the lagoon and increase public awareness about human impacts.

2000 – present: Local, state, and federal funding supports projects to improve natural habitat and lagoon water quality. Palm Beach County completes numerous environmental restoration projects: Peanut Island, John’s Island, Snook Islands Natural Area and the Ibis Isles Restoration Project.

2009: The Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative forms a Steering Committee and three working groups focused on Habitat, Water, and Public Outreach.

2013: The Lake Worth Lagoon Management Plan is updated to identify new goals for environmental enhancement and protection, water quality improvements, and public outreach efforts.

Today: Many partners continue efforts to improve water quality, restore habitat, prevent pollution and involve the community in taking care of the lagoon.

2Snorkel and fish

at Phil Foster Park.Located on Blue Heron Blvd. in Riviera Beach, this

park offers a beach for swimming. Don’t forget your snorkeling gear! You’ll see lots of fish near the artificial

reef trail on the south side of the park. If you prefer to stay dry, bring your fishing pole and try to make a big catch at

one of the fishing platforms. Learn more at discover.pbcgov.org/parks

3Take a water taxito Peanut Island.

Peanut Island is a man-made island, formed from material dredged to create Lake Worth Inlet. At high

tide, clear Gulf Stream-fed ocean water enters through the inlet. The island was enhanced with native plants and

recreational amenities to create a complete island adventure. Bring your snorkeling gear and look for common fish like snapper and parrotfish or take a

walk around the entire island. Learn more at discover.pbcgov.org/erm/pages/Lake-Worth-

Lagoon.aspx

1Take a walk onthe wild side!

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is a great location to explore the lagoon. Look for manatees, sea turtles, birds, and fish while you stroll the boardwalk.

Don’t forget to look closely for fiddler crabs around the red mangrove roots. Ask a park ranger about Munyon Island,

a natural island in the lagoon that was restored with 120,000 native plants to enhance wildlife habitat.

Learn more atdiscover.pbcgov.org/erm/pages/Lake-Worth-

Lagoon.aspxand www.macarthurbeach.org

7Look for American

oystercatchers at Snook Islands Natural Area.

The Snook Islands Natural Area includes several man-made intertidal mangrove islands. Before the islands were created, this area of the lagoon offered little habitat for fish and wildlife. Now the islands provide food and shelter for a

variety of animals including the American oystercatcher. Learn more at

discover.pbcgov.org/erm/pages/Lake-Worth-Lagoon.aspx

8 Watch the boats

pass through South Lake Worth Inlet.

Inlets connect the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Worth Lagoon. Construction of the South Lake Worth Inlet,

also called the Boynton Inlet, was completed in 1927. Visit Ocean Inlet Park at 6990 N. Ocean Blvd. in Ocean

Ridge, and watch the boats travel back and forth between the calm waters of the lagoon and the rough

waters of the ocean. Learn more at discover.pbcgov.org/parks

6 Stroll the waterfront

and visit the South Cove Natural Area.

Take a stroll along the waterfront or simply enjoy spectacular views of the lagoon. At the South Cove Natural Area you can explore natural wonders without getting wet!

Check out the boardwalk that extends to one of three mangrove islands. The project created over six acres of

habitat supporting fish, birds, manatees, and sea turtles. Learn more at

discover.pbcgov.org/erm/pages/Lake-Worth-Lagoon.aspx

Photo credit:Thomas Reinert

4Observe manatees.Visit Manatee Lagoon: An FPL

Eco-Discovery Center to learn about manatees and the lagoon. You might catch a glimpse of the gentle giants as they gather

in the warm water refuge along the edge of the lagoon in

Riviera Beach.

5Attend LagoonFest.

Celebrate Lake Worth Lagoon at this annual family-friendly festival held on

the West Palm Beach waterfront in the fall.

Learn more at www.LagoonFest.com

Exploring the Lagoon…

PHOTO: JUDY TOWNSEND, MOLLY MILLER BLENNY

S U N D AY M O N D AY T U E S D AY W E D N E S D AY T H U R S D AY F R I D AY S AT U R D AY

▲ The Phil Foster Park Snorkel Trail in Riviera Beach is a great place to try to find me, but you’ll have to look closely as I only measure up to 4 inches long.

JANUARY 2017

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New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

LWLI.org

PHOTO: JODY LANE PHOTOGRAPHY, WALKING ON WATER


▲ Mangrove islands such as these at South Cove Natural Area in downtown West Palm Beach provide habitat for marine life, stabilize the shoreline and offer a way to connect with nature within the city.

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President’s Day

#PBCERM on Instagram while taking selfies @SouthCoveNaturalArea.

Valentine’s Day

LWLI.org


▲ Unlike other crabs found in the lagoon, hermit crabs don’t grow their shells but instead occupy discarded ones for protection. Algae may attach to the shells, helping to camouflage their occupants.

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PHOTO: CHERYL BLACK WILD EYE PHOTOGRAPHY, CRABBY

LWLI.org


▲ In the late 1800s, Henry Flagler brought his railroad to the Palm Beach area. Located on the shore of Lake Worth Lagoon, his winter retreat is now a National Historic Landmark open to the public as the Flagler Museum.

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PHOTO: JENNIFER CARRERA TURNER, FL AGLER MUSEUM

Earth Day

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▲ Finding safety by camouflaging itself among plants underwater, this filefish changes its color to blend in.

MAY 2017

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PHOTO: ELAINE BLUM, GREEN FRINGED FILEFISH

Memorial Day

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▲ GOTCHA! Squid are the fastest swimming invertebrates so getting a photo of one takes some talent.

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PHOTO: ELAINE BLUM, SQUID

World Sea Turtle Day

June is “Great Outdoors Month”! Enjoy some extra time outdoors.

LWLI.org


▲ Recreational anglers aren’t the only ones out to catch their next meal in the lagoon. Ospreys use their talons rather than hook and line to fish.

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Independence Day

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PHOTO: RON HAINES, OSPREY WITH FISH AT MUNYON ISL ANDPHOTO: RON HAINES, OSPREY WITH FISH AT MUNYON ISL AND


▲ Dog days of summer. Cool off in the lagoon – check out the Paddling Treasures brochure under “Publications” at discover.pbcgov.org/erm for suggested paddling routes.

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PHOTO: SANDY BEEL, IT WAS A “RUFF” DAY FOR THE PEANUT ISL AND PADDLE PUPS

LWLI.org


▲ It takes dedication to protect the lagoon for future generations. Learn what you can do to help at www.LWLI.org.

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PHOTO: JUDY TOWNSEND, JAWFISH WITH EGGS

Labor Day

National Estuaries Day

LWLI.org


▲ PEEKABOO! Don’t be scared. This ghost crab is just having fun on a sandy shore on the lagoon.

OC TOBER 2017

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PHOTO: DON LANMAN, CRAB LEGS: SHORE CRAB

Columbus Day

Halloween

LWLI.org


▲ Lake Worth Lagoon is the largest estuary in Palm Beach County. Measuring almost 20 miles long, it extends from North Palm Beach to Ocean Ridge.

NOVEMBER 2017

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PHOTO: THOMAS BARRAT, AERIAL VIEW OF L AKE WORTH L AGOON

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

4th Annual Lagoonfest

LWLI.org


▲ Find your special place to connect with Lake Worth Lagoon.

DECEMBER 2017

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PHOTO: ANN HUTCHINS, MUNYON ISL AND MORNING

Christmas DayNew Year’s Eve

LWLI.org

LagoonFest, a celebration of Lake Worth Lagoon, is held annually in November at West Palm Beach’s waterfront. The purpose of LagoonFest is to encourage the public to discover the marvels of Lake Worth Lagoon and the importance of protecting this urban estuary. Visit www.LagoonFest.com for more information.

About Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative | www.LWLI.org

The Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative is a partnership driven effort to increase public awareness of Palm Beach County’s largest estuary and coordinate activities to protect and enhance this valuable natural system. We invite you to learn more about our work and to join us in supporting efforts to enhance fish and wildlife habitat and improve and protect water quality in the lagoon. There is a role for everyone to play in the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative. If you would like to get involved or volunteer, please contact the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management at 561-233-2400.

� ABOUT THE COVER: The setting sun and downtown lights of West Palm Beach create a kaleidoscope of colors across Lake Worth Lagoon.

PARTNERS CELEBRATING LAKE WORTH LAGOON

Palm Beach CountyBoard of County Commissioners

lake worth lagoon - palm beach county,...

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