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Myakka River
Myakka River.jpg
Myakka River in El Jobean
Myakkarivermap.png
Map of Myakka River in Florida
Country United States
State Florida
Counties Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte
District Southwest Florida Water Management District
Physical characteristics
River mouth Gulf of Mexico
Charlotte Harbor
26°54′52″N 82°09′51″W / 26.9145°N 82.1643°W / 26.9145; -82.1643
Length 72 miles (116 km)
Basin features
River system Myakka River Watershed
Basin size 314.7 square miles (815 km2)
Landmarks Myakka River State Park, T. Mabry Carlton Reserve, Snook Haven, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, Jelks Preserve, Myakka State Forest, Myakka Park
Population 72,317
Waterbodies Lake Myakka

The Myakka River is a river in southwestern Florida. It arises near the Hardee-Manatee county line and flows southwest and then southeast through Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties to Charlotte Harbor, an arm of the Gulf of Mexico. The river is 72 miles (116 km) long and has a drainage basin of 602 square miles (1559.2 km2), of which 314.7 square miles (815 km2) lies in Sarasota county. The last 20 miles (32 km) of the river is tidal and brackish.

The Myakka River remains relatively undeveloped. A 12-mile (19 km) stretch of the river is preserved in Myakka River State Park. A 34-mile (55 km) portion of the river in Sarasota County (including all of the park) was designated as a state Wild and Scenic River in 1985 by the Florida Legislature. Portions of the ancient water basin, however, have been altered by canals. In 2022, the river flooding during Hurricane Ian resulted in the temporary closing of 14 miles of Interstate 75 near Port Charlotte.

Tributaries

  • Myakkahatchee Creek

See also

  • Deer Prairie Creek Preserve
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