Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Project Spotlight

"This aquatic preserve is the essence of the southwest Florida estuary - teeming with life, exquisite in form and extremely sensitive to human caused impacts. It is one of our many jewels in southwest Florida and we have a duty to protect this valuable preserve!"

Bob Janes, Lee County Commissioner

White pelicans

Key Accomplishments

A multi-agency agreement has been reached that identifies locations and dredge depths for boat navigation channels and seagrass protection. These channel designs provide public access while protecting priority seagrass areas.
Staff have conducted annual monitoring at 5 sites within the aquatic preserve for seven years. This has indicated that seagrass beds have been negatively impacted by reduced light availability due to runoff from rapidly urbanizing coastal areas.
Ongoing monthly testing continues to provide a scientific basis for understanding changes in water quality. Results will appear in the journal, Florida Scientist.

Water quality monitoring volunteers in training session

Water Quality Monitoring

In September 2005, two permanent monitoring stations, in north and south Matlacha Pass, were established and equipped with automated water quality data collection equipment . The two sites were selected to monitor the influences of Charlotte Harbor and the Caloosahatchee River on the overall water quality of this aquatic preserve. Seven different water quality parameters including water temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and depth, are collected every 15 minutes. To date, this continuous monitoring has demonstrated differences in salinity and the tidal node at the two sites and complements information from two additional water quality monitoring programs in the region.

Quick Facts about Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Location:

Lee County

Acreage

12,500 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Heather Stafford
Aquatic Preserve Manager
12301 Burnt Store Road
Punta Gorda, FL 33955
941-575-5861

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Further information about Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Management Plan

Mangrove shrouded shoreline

View beneath shoreline mangroves

Blue crab

Kayaking under the mangroves

Kayaking through a mangrove shrouded trail

Roseate spoonbill

Designated as Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve in 1972
Shaped in a sinuous channel that winds between oyster bars, mangrove islands and seagrass flats.
The preserve is the tidal node between Charlotte Harbor to the north and the Caloosahatchee River and San Carlos Bay to the south, with dark tannin-stained waters.
Home to 4 species of seagrasses, 3 species of mangroves, over 100 species of invertebrates, 200 species of fish and 150 species of shore and wading birds.
Kayaking, birding and fishing are popular recreational activities compatible within the preserve.
Several hiking and paddling trails provide access to the preserve. Commercial crabbing also occurs in the pass.

White ibis

Brown pelican

Last updated: June 20, 2008