Peace River

Peace River is a 394.9 mile stream, with the associated WBID(s): 1623A, 1623B, 1623C, 1623D, 1623E, 1623F, 1623G, 1623H, 1623I, 1623J.

From its headwaters in Polk County, the Peace River meanders through swamps, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and marshes before it fans out into the Charlotte Harbor estuary. The health and function of the Peace River headwaters have been identified as vitally important to downstream habitats, bays and estuaries for water quality and wildlife movement.

This waterbody is located within: Peace River Basin

View Maps / Data

CHNEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) identified four action plans: water quality improvement; hydrological restoration; fish, wildlife, and habitat improvement; and public engagement. Click on the interactive maps below to view data associated with these goals and actions.

Water Quality

Hydrology

Wildlife/Habitats

Resiliency/Weather

Water Quality Snapshot

The Water Quality Snapshot compares the most current water quality data to applicable water quality standards for Chlorophyll a, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Bacteria, and Dissolved Oxygen to provide a snapshot of how a waterbody is doing. Water quality standards are outlined in Florida Administrative Code 62-302 for fresh/marine waterbodies of different types and uses. A Water Body Identification number (WBID) is an assessment unit that is intended to represent Florida’s waterbodies at the watershed or sub-watershed scale. The assessment units are drainage basins, lakes, lake drainage areas, springs, rivers and streams, segments of rivers and streams, coastal, bay and estuarine waters in Florida.

Showing water quality snapshots for 1 out of 10 WBIDs. View data for all WBIDs

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1623J - PEACE RIVER ABOVE BOWLEGS CREEK
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
(percent (%))
Chart
Chart with 1 data point.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 0 to 100.
End of interactive chart.
WIN_21FLPOLK
1/13/2025
Threshold: 38.00
Chlorophyll a, corrected
(µg/L)
Chart
Chart with 1 data point.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 0 to 30.
End of interactive chart.
WIN_21FLPOLK
1/13/2025
Threshold: 20.00
Total Nitrogen
(mg/L)
Chart
Chart with 1 data point.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 0 to 4.
End of interactive chart.
WIN_21FLPOLK
1/13/2025
Threshold: 1.65
Total Phosphorus
(mg/L)
Chart
Chart with 1 data point.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 0 to 0.6.
End of interactive chart.
WIN_21FLPOLK
1/13/2025
Threshold: 0.49
Escherichia coli
(cfu/100mL)
Chart
Chart with 1 data point.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 0 to 500.
End of interactive chart.
WIN_21FLPOLK
1/13/2025
Threshold: 410.00

View Detailed Data About the Following Topics:

Water Quality

Water Levels & Flows

Hydrologic data describe physical properties of water such as how fast it is moving and how deep it is. Click the Learn More links to explore the significance of each parameter and how it is measured.

Water Levels

Water levels in Florida are seasonal, with higher levels during the state’s rainy summer and fall months. Recent water level data are shown below, along with historical and regulatory values to provide context. Learn more about river water levels »

Water Levels NAVD88
Latest Value 79.93 ft. 2 days ago (3/31/2025) Source: USGS_NWIS
Historic Norm for Month 81.51 ft. 2024 - 2025
Historic Range 76.43 - 91.95 ft. 2/18/2024 – 3/31/2025 399 samples
FEMA Levels No Data
Graphs and Data View Graph of Data Download Data

Stream Levels and Flows

Stream level and flow data. Learn more about stream flows »

Flows - Whole River Range Levels - Whole River Range

In the last 30 days, the average river flow has been lower than has been historically

In the last 30 days, the average river level has been greater than it has been historically

Source(s) : USGS National Water Information System Southwest Florida Water Management District Southwest Florida Water Management District

Bathymetric Maps and Depth Information

These are the latest available contour maps of the river section's bottom. These maps are used to determine the volume of river section which can be useful in calculating flow volume and for determining where deep and shallow spots exist in a section of the river as well as to see the channel of the river. Learn more about bathymetric maps »

No Data Available

Recreation

Find maps and waterway navigation guides, descriptions of facilities and recreational amenities, as well as warnings and restrictions pertaining to their use.

Recreational and Boater Resource Guides

Photos

Click on a thumbnail photograph to view the full size version with credits and a description.

2005 Aerial Imagery 2005 Aerial Imagery
2005 Aerial Imagery

Credit: Polk County Natural Resources Division

Boating on the Peace Creek near Bartow, Florida. Boating on the Peace Creek near Bartow, Florida.
Boating on the Peace Creek near Bartow, Florida.

Credit: State Library and Archives of Florida - Florida Photograph Collection

Bridge over Peace River near Bartow Bridge over Peace River near Bartow
Bridge over Peace River near Bartow

Credit: State Library and Archives of Florida - Florida Photograph Collection

Peace River north of Bartow, Florida. Peace River north of Bartow, Florida.
Peace River north of Bartow, Florida.

Credit: State Library and Archives of Florida - Louise Frisbie Photograph Collection

2005 Aerial Imagery 2005 Aerial Imagery
2005 Aerial Imagery

Credit: Polk County Natural Resources Division

Sawfish, 14 ft. 10 in., 550 lb. Sawfish, 14 ft. 10 in., 550 lb.
Sawfish, 14 ft. 10 in., 550 lb.

Credit: Field and Stream

Peace Creek drainage on the Highway 60 bridge after hurricanes in 2004. S1T30R26a Peace Creek drainage on the Highway 60 bridge after hurricanes in 2004. S1T30R26a
Peace Creek drainage on the Highway 60 bridge after hurricanes in 2004. S1T30R26a

Credit: Polk County

Peace River, 1918 Peace River, 1918
Peace River, 1918

Credit: John Kunkel Small, State Archives of Florida, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/49596

Peace River at the bridge in Bartow after hurricanes in 2004. Peace River at the bridge in Bartow after hurricanes in 2004.
Peace River at the bridge in Bartow after hurricanes in 2004.

Credit: Polk County

Saddle Creek at Highway 540 (Winter Lake Rd) after hurricanes in 2004. Saddle Creek at Highway 540 (Winter Lake Rd) after hurricanes in 2004.
Saddle Creek at Highway 540 (Winter Lake Rd) after hurricanes in 2004.

Credit: Polk County

2002 Aerial Photos 2002 Aerial Photos
2002 Aerial Photos

Credit: Polk County

Saddle Creek at the Bartow-Eagle Lake Loop Rd; looking northward towards Lake Hancock after hurricanes in 2004. Saddle Creek at the Bartow-Eagle Lake Loop Rd; looking northward towards Lake Hancock after hurricanes in 2004.
Saddle Creek at the Bartow-Eagle Lake Loop Rd; looking northward towards Lake Hancock after hurricanes in 2004.

Credit: Polk County

2005 Aerial Imagery 2005 Aerial Imagery
2005 Aerial Imagery

Credit: Polk County Natural Resources Division

Peace Creek drainage on the Highway 60 bridge after hurricanes in 2004. S1T30R26a Peace Creek drainage on the Highway 60 bridge after hurricanes in 2004. S1T30R26a
Peace Creek drainage on the Highway 60 bridge after hurricanes in 2004. S1T30R26a

Credit: Polk County

Saddle Creek at the Bartow-Eagle Lake Loop Rd; heading towards Peace River after hurricanes in 2004. Saddle Creek at the Bartow-Eagle Lake Loop Rd; heading towards Peace River after hurricanes in 2004.
Saddle Creek at the Bartow-Eagle Lake Loop Rd; heading towards Peace River after hurricanes in 2004.

Credit: Polk County

Peace River Bridge Peace River Bridge
Peace River Bridge

Credit: State Library and Archives of Florida - Florida Photograph Collection

2005 Aerial Imagery 2005 Aerial Imagery
2005 Aerial Imagery

Credit: Polk County Natural Resources Division

Peace River Bridge, Zolfo Springs, 1918 Peace River Bridge, Zolfo Springs, 1918
Peace River Bridge, Zolfo Springs, 1918

Credit: State Library and Archives of Florida - Florida Photograph Collection - J.K. Small collection.

Peace River near Highway 60. Dried up in 2000 drought. Peace River near Highway 60. Dried up in 2000 drought.
Peace River near Highway 60. Dried up in 2000 drought.

Credit: Polk County Natural Resources

Peace River in Homeland. Dried up in 2000 drought. Peace River in Homeland. Dried up in 2000 drought.
Peace River in Homeland. Dried up in 2000 drought.

Credit: Polk County Natural Resources

View more photos »