Estero Bay Watershed | Watershed Details

The Estero Bay Watershed is located within CHNEP and spans 359.6 square miles. The watershed contains 46 named lakes/ponds, 17 named rivers/streams/canals and 2 named bays/bayous. Estero Bay is the first Aquatic Preserve in Florida. The western border consists of a chain of barrier islands. The watershed has significant freshwater inputs from small rivers and weak tidal exchange due to the restricted size of the four main inlets. Although the estuary is separated from the Charlotte Harbor estuary, it does receive water indirectly from the Caloosahatchee River through San Carlos Bay.

Estero Bay Watershed contains these basins:

Estero Bay Basin

View all water resources in this watershed

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.

View Detailed Data About the Following Topics:

Recreation

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