The Green Swamp

Second only to the Everglades, the Florida Green Swamp is one of Florida's most important water retention features. It is known as "The Heart of the Floridan Aquifer", which supplies water to most of the Central and North Florida areas. It is the highest point of the limestone aquifer, and it provides capture, retention, purification and pressurization to the artesian Floridan Aquifer. Its 870 square miles supports a large wetland system and is the headwaters for 5 major rivers, including the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Little Withlacoochee, Oklawaha and Peace Rivers, and numerous creeks, springs and lakes.

Due to the importance and sensitivity of the area, the State of Florida has designated the Green Swamp an area of environmental concern. Water use demands and pollution from the growing Orlando, Lakeland, and Tampa areas have put a considerable strain on the Green Swamp. The entire swamp has also been designated a wildlife refuge.

For more information about the Green Swamp, visit the sites below:

http://www.1000friendsofflorida.org/emas/GreenSwamp.asp

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1169/is_2000_June-July/ai_62805536

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/interactive/greenswamp/textonly.html