Draining and development of the Everglades

The Everglades drainage and development project converted extensive wetlands in South Florida through a system of canals, levees, and water-control structures. This network was engineered to make land available for agriculture and urban settlement across the region.

Large-scale drainage operations began in the early 1900s and systematically redirected water to transform South Florida's landscape. These efforts enabled the expansion of agriculture and urban centers that followed across the region.

Indigenous peoples including the Seminoles hunted and fished across these wetlands for generations before drainage projects began. The transformation disrupted their way of life and access to traditional food sources and territories.

Visitors can observe the drainage effects in the altered landscape and water control structures throughout the area. It helps to explore the region during the dry season when water conditions and access routes are more stable.

The project reduced wading bird populations by roughly 90 percent, revealing the ecological consequences of this transformation. This dramatic shift in wildlife remains one of the most visible indicators of how drainage affected the entire region.