Lakes Parking Lot

This location point is near the Lakes Parking Lot which leads to the lakes. Also, this spot is one longest open area so make sure to reapply more sunscreen. If you decide to get off the trail to see the lakes you might see some alligators, birds, and fishes near the shore.

What is a watershed and why is it important?
First of all, you are standing in a watershed area. This unique watershed allows water to slowly travel over the landscape and soak into the aquifer. This helps prevent flooding in surrounding neighborhoods and filters pollutants from the water.

So basically, a watershed is an area of land where rainwater drains and is collected and stored. It’s a three-step process, according to the board located near the entrance to the lakes (see the pictures for this location point). First, it all starts with rain. Second, the water droplets slowly travel downhill through plants and soil, which helps clean the water and filter out pollutants. Third, the water droplet soaks into the ground and fills the aquifer.

The soil also plays a major role in filtering the water that's because the soil is filled with tiny microbes/bacteria that help breakdown contaminants. It's important to understand the importance of this watershed because this land helps protect and preserve our most valuable natural resource--water. Wildlife, plants, and people need water to survive so keep that in mind and respect nature!

Source: https://crewtrust.org/visit-crew/