Apalachicola Bay

Apalachicola Bay, Florida.

Apalachicola Bay is an estuary and lagoon located on the northwest coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The Apalachicola Bay system also includes St. Georges Sound, St. Vincent Sound and East Bay, covering an area of about 208 square miles (540 km²). Four islands St. Vincent Island to the west, Cape St. George Island and St. George Island to the south, and Dog Island to the east separate the system from the Gulf of Mexico. Water exchange occurs through Indian Pass, West Pass, East Pass and the Duer Channel. The lagoon has been designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Apalachicola River is the largest source of freshwater to the estuary. Combined with the Chattahoochee River, Flint River, and Ochlockonee River they drain a watershed of over 20,000 square miles (50,000 km²) at a rate of 19,599 cubic feet (550 m³) per second according to the United States Geological Survey in 2002.

The region features 1,162 species of plants, and includes the largest natural stand of tupelo trees in the world. The area is also home to 308 species of birds, 186 species of fish, 57 species of mammals, and boasts the highest species density of amphibians and reptiles in all of North America, north of Mexico stated by the Apalachicola Reserve, 2002.

Wildlife

The Apalachicola Bay produces 90 percent of Florida’s oysters.

Apalachicola Bay is part of The National Estuarine Research Reserve System.^[1]

See also

• Apalachicola (tribe)

References

1. "The National Estuarine Research Reserve System". Archived from the original on 1 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-27.

External links

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Apalachicola Bay
• Apalachicola River Watershed - Florida DEP

Coordinates: 29°40′23″N 84°57′43″W / 29.67306°N 84.96194°W

• Oyster Rules for Apalachicola Bay