Water bodies, watersheds and storm water
In this section
The St. Johns River
Learn about the history of the St. Johns River, the challenges it faces today, and find out how you can help protect the river.
Basins
- Lower St. Johns River Basin
- Middle St. Johns River Basin
- Upper St. Johns River Basin
- Indian River Lagoon
- Keystone Heights area lakes
- Northern Coastal Basin
- Upper Ocklawaha River Basin
- Orange Creek
- St. Marys River
Springs of the District
See overviews, descriptions and locations of springs in the District, including scientific discussions of water quality.
Algae
Aquatic grasses
Get an overview of aquatic grasses.
Wetlands
Wetlands provide vital functions in protecting water resources.
Water quality
- Sources of water pollution
- What you can do to reduce water pollution
- Harvesting shad to reduce nutrients in water bodies
Flooding and stormwater systems
Find tips to help you prepare for storm season.
Many waterways found in the District
The St. Johns River Water Management District covers 12,283 square miles, about 7.8 million acres, or 23 percent of northeast and east-central Florida. The main water body in the District is the northerly flowing St. Johns River, from which the District gets its name. The St. Johns River is the longest river entirely in the state.
The St. Johns River is often described as a lazy river, as it drops in elevation less than 30 feet from its headwaters to its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean, or about one inch per mile. The St. Johns River varies in width from a flat marsh at its headwaters near Vero Beach, to about a two-mile average width between Palatka and Jacksonville, to large lakes in central Florida.
Other significant waterways in the District are the St. Marys River, which serves as the northern boundary between Florida and Georgia, and the Nassau, Ocklawaha, Matanzas, Halifax and Indian rivers. The District also contains 98 springs and more than 1,415 lakes.
