Imperial River (Florida)
Encyclopedia
The Imperial River is a river
in southwest Florida
in the United States
. It is fed by the Kehl Canal and marsh
land at 26°22′16"N 81°41′23"W, just east of the city limits of Bonita Springs
in unincorporated
southwest Lee County
. It is approximately 9.3 miles (15 km) long, from its headwaters just east of I-75
in the Flint Pen Strand, through downtown Bonita Springs and to its mouth at the north end of Fishtrap Bay, near the southern end of Estero Bay
. It was originally named Surveyors Creek before the city was developed. The river is part of The Great Calusa Blueway
.
On the east side of the Tamiami Trail
(U.S. Route 41
) bridge, the Imperial River Boat Ramp
provides boaters and kayakers with a place to launch their vessels. There is also a small fishing pier
onsite. On the west side of the bridge, an 18.3 acres (7.4 ha) park is under construction which will consist of 2000 feet (609.6 m) of river frontage and a boardwalk, fishing pier, boat slips and an observation platform with a view of an eagle's
nest. Riverside Park in the downtown area provides river access and a bandshell for community events and concerts.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in southwest Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is fed by the Kehl Canal and marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
land at 26°22′16"N 81°41′23"W, just east of the city limits of Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs, Florida
Bonita Springs is a city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 43,914 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral–Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located on the southwest coast of the state....
in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
southwest Lee County
Lee County, Florida
Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Located in southwest Florida, the principal cities in the county are Fort Myers and Cape Coral...
. It is approximately 9.3 miles (15 km) long, from its headwaters just east of I-75
Interstate 75 in Florida
Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Hialeah, Florida, a few miles northwest of Miami to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...
in the Flint Pen Strand, through downtown Bonita Springs and to its mouth at the north end of Fishtrap Bay, near the southern end of Estero Bay
Estero Bay (Florida)
Estero Bay, Florida, is an estuary located on the west coast of the state southeast of Fort Myers Beach. The bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, is long and very shallow, and covers about . Estero Bay is bordered on the west by a chain of barrier islands: Estero Island, Long Key, Lovers Key,...
. It was originally named Surveyors Creek before the city was developed. The river is part of The Great Calusa Blueway
Blueway
A blueway or water trail is a water path or trail that is developed with launch points, camping locations and points of interest for canoeists and kayakers...
.
On the east side of the Tamiami Trail
Tamiami Trail
The Tamiami Trail is the southernmost of U.S. Highway 41 from State Road 60 in Tampa to U.S. Route 1 in Miami. The road also has the hidden designation of State Road 90....
(U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
) bridge, the Imperial River Boat Ramp
Slipway
A slipway, boat slip or just a slip, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. They are used for building and repairing ships and boats. They are also used for launching and retrieving small boats on trailers and flying boats on their undercarriage. The...
provides boaters and kayakers with a place to launch their vessels. There is also a small fishing pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
onsite. On the west side of the bridge, an 18.3 acres (7.4 ha) park is under construction which will consist of 2000 feet (609.6 m) of river frontage and a boardwalk, fishing pier, boat slips and an observation platform with a view of an eagle's
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
nest. Riverside Park in the downtown area provides river access and a bandshell for community events and concerts.