Alternative Text Description for FDEP (WIN) Lakes Resource

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays lakes monitored through Florida's Watershed Monitoring Program, showing the distribution of large lakes (10 hectares or greater) and small lakes (greater than 4 hectares) across the state. The map provides a comprehensive view of significant lake resources throughout Florida, highlighting their locations and spatial patterns. This dataset serves as a reference for water resource management and environmental monitoring purposes.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida, extending from the Florida Panhandle in the northwest to the southern tip near Miami. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville on the northeast coast, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the west coast, and Miami in the southeast. The map extends slightly into neighboring states, showing portions of Alabama to the north and Georgia to the northeast. The Gulf of America coastline is visible along the western edge of the state, and the Atlantic Ocean coastline is shown along the eastern edge. Notable cities and landmarks visible include Tallahassee (the state capital), Gainesville, Palm Coast, Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, and Melbourne-Palm Bay.

KEY INSIGHTS

Lake features are heavily concentrated in central Florida, particularly in the Orlando region, where a dense cluster of lakes is visible. A second significant concentration appears in the north-central portion of the state, between Tallahassee and Gainesville. The southern portion of the peninsula, particularly in the area south of Lake Okeechobee (visible as a large lake feature west of West Palm Beach), shows scattered lake distributions. Coastal areas generally show fewer lake features, with most lakes appearing in the interior regions of the state. A notable linear arrangement of lakes extends through the central peninsula from north to south, following the ridge topography of central Florida. The Florida Panhandle shows relatively few lake features compared to the peninsula.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

FDEP (WIN) Lakes Resource

This layer represents lakes monitored under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Watershed Information Network, including both large lakes (10 hectares or greater) and small lakes (greater than 4 hectares).

Lake Features (light blue polygon symbols)

Appearance:

The lakes are depicted as light blue polygon features of varying sizes against a light gray background. The polygon shapes reflect the actual outlines of the water bodies, ranging from small circular or irregular shapes to larger, more complex shoreline configurations.

Distribution:

Lake features are distributed throughout Florida but show significant regional variation. The highest density occurs in the central Florida region around Orlando and in the north-central area. Coastal regions show notably fewer lake features, while the interior peninsula contains the majority of mapped water bodies.

Notable locations:

The greatest concentration of lakes appears in the Orlando metropolitan area and extending northeast toward Gainesville. A large lake feature is prominently visible in southern Florida west of the coastal cities. Numerous smaller lake features are scattered throughout the central ridge region of the peninsula. The Tallahassee area shows a moderate cluster of lake features.

Spatial patterns:

Lakes display a clear north-south linear pattern through central Florida, following the elevated ridge terrain. Clustering is most pronounced in the central peninsula, with decreasing density toward coastal areas and the southern tip. Many lakes appear in groups or chains, suggesting hydrological connections or common geological formations. The pattern shows a distinct contrast between the lake-rich interior and the relatively lake-poor coastal zones.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map displays lakes that meet specific size criteria for inclusion in Florida's watershed monitoring program. The dataset distinguishes between large lakes (10 hectares or greater) and small lakes (greater than 4 hectares), though both categories appear with the same symbology on this map. Very small lakes or ponds below the 4-hectare threshold are not included in this dataset. The distribution pattern reflects both natural lake formation processes and the state's monitoring priorities for water resource management. Users should note that this map represents lakes included in the monitoring program and may not include all water bodies in the state.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

This data comes from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Watershed Information Network (WIN) monitoring program. The dataset represents polygon features for lakes meeting specific size criteria: large lakes of 10 hectares or greater and small lakes greater than 4 hectares. Source layer: LAKES_RESOURCE_JUL25

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria was applied to this map view.

Scale Information:

The map displays a statewide view of Florida, showing the distribution of monitored lakes across the entire state. This scale is appropriate for understanding regional patterns and statewide distribution of lake resources.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data source layer name indicates a July 2025 reference, suggesting the dataset reflects lake resources as of that timeframe.

Limitations:

This dataset includes only lakes meeting the minimum size threshold of greater than 4 hectares, so smaller ponds and water bodies are not represented. The dataset represents lakes included in the watershed monitoring program and may not comprehensively capture all water bodies in Florida. Data accuracy depends on the source imagery and mapping methods used for lake delineation.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the entire state of Florida, from the Panhandle region in the northwest to the southern Keys area, and includes portions of adjacent states (Alabama and Georgia) for geographic context. The map extends from approximately the Alabama-Florida border in the west to the Atlantic coast in the east, and from the Georgia-Florida border in the north to the southernmost extent of the Florida peninsula and Keys.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.