District recognizes July as Lakes Appreciation Month

The St. Johns River Water Management District on Tuesday recognized July 2022 as Lakes Appreciation Month. Pictured (from left) is Governing Board member Chris Peterson, District General Counsel Mary Ellen Winkler, Board members Gen. Douglas Burnett, Ryan Atwood, Doug Bournique, Chairman Rob Bradley, Board member Janet Price, District Executive Director Mike Register, Vice Chair Maryam Ghyabi-White and Board member Cole Oliver.

PALATKA, Fla., July 12, 2022 — Florida has more than 4,200 natural lakes, and nearly 1,500 of those are within the boundaries of the St. Johns River Water Management District. Today, the District’s Governing Board recognized July 2022 as Lakes Appreciation Month, joining the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) and groups around the country in the annual proclamation to raise awareness of lakes’ importance and benefits.

“Every day our staff are focused on protecting and restoring our waterways,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “I am grateful to the Governing Board for continuing to take every opportunity to highlight our important work and to help bring awareness to the community about how they can help protect Florida’s water resources.”

The St. Johns River has many large lakes along its length, starting with Blue Cypress Lake at its headwaters and flowing though Washington, Harney, Jesup, Monroe and George along its path to the ocean. Lake Apopka is the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River and chain of lakes, and Newnans Lake is the headwaters of the Orange Creek Basin.

NALMS makes the annual proclamation to raise awareness of the importance of lakes and the benefits they provide, highlighting the value of water and open spaces, recreation and how they serve in aquifer recharge, as well as helping to reduce the force and effects of flooding. In addition, NALMS conducts its annual Secchi Dip-In each July. Started in the United States, the Secchi Dip-In is now an international effort in which volunteers produce a “snapshot” of water transparency in lakes around the world.

For information about waterways within the District, visit www.sjrwmd.com/waterways. Join the conversation at #sjrwmd #NALMS #loveourlakes.

To find other NALMS activities and contests to celebrate our lakes visit Lakes Appreciation Month – North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) website.