From flooded fields to thriving floodplains 🌿💧

The St. Johns River Water Management District is dedicated to protecting and managing vital floodplains and conservation areas across our 18-county region. By preserving these natural landscapes, we help reduce flood risks, improve water quality and boost ecosystem resilience year-round.

🎥 See this work in action in our latest video: youtu.be/Yms3IFDArOA

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🗺️ Florida, Then and Now

Take a step back in time with this historic map of Florida — a glimpse into how early explorers and cartographers documented the state’s waterways and landscapes long before modern technology.

So, how were maps like this created without computers?

✏️ Surveyors and cartographers relied on:
• Compass and chain measurements to calculate distance and direction
• Celestial navigation using the sun and stars to determine location
• Field sketches and journals recorded by hand during expeditions

These maps were often the result of years of exploration, observation, and careful hand-drawing — blending science with craftsmanship.

💧 Even then, Florida’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands were the backbone of travel and settlement — a role they still play today.

At the District, we continue to study, manage, and protect these same water resources for future generations.

📍 It’s a reminder: while technology has changed, the importance of water has not.

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