Five Major Rivers of Florida

Florida's hydrology is defined by its karst limestone, high rainfall, and flat terrain. Five major rivers:

1. St. Johns River – 500 km; flows **north** (rare); vast basin; slow, dark, brackish lower reaches; Jacksonville.
2. Suwannee River – 370 km; "Old Folks at Home"; blackwater; springs-fed; empties Gulf of Mexico; no dams.
3. Apalachicola River – 170 km (formed by Chattahoochee+Flint); largest Florida discharge; Apalachicola Bay oysters; biodiversity hotspot.
4. Ocklawaha River – 110 km; St. Johns tributary; Silver Springs source; Rodman Dam controversy (partial restoration planned).
5. Withlacoochee River – 230 km; flows northwest; Green Swamp origin; Tsala Apopka chain of lakes; flood control structures.

Other Significant Rivers

• Peace, Kissimmee, Caloosahatchee, Indian, Hillsborough, Escambia, Choctawhatchee.

Florida has 1,700+ streams, 7,800 lakes, 1,000+ springs (largest concentration globally). Water management districts (5) regulate allocation, flood control, restoration (Everglades).