Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

I visited south Florida for Thanksgiving. I was traveling very light, and therefore brought my Lumix DMC-FX35 camera, instead of my newer GF1. While there, I paid a visit, as is customary for me, to Wakodahatchee Wetlands (also see Wikipedia’s entry). “Wakodahatchee” means “created waters” in the Seminole language. It is an artificial wetlands created by the Water Utilities Department of Palm Beach County, Florida.

After sewage is treated in wastewater treatment plants, it is generally discharged into the environment, such as into a river or pumped into the ground, where it may then undergo additional natural filtering. The water then may be withdrawn downstream or from wells, processed by water treatment plants, and provided as drinking water. Palm Beach County created Wakodahatchee (and its nearby sister wetlands, Green Cay), to serve as a discharge location for its wastewater treatment plant, to provide a semi-natural environment for wading birds, and to provide a boardwalk for people to get a little exercise and enjoy the wetlands. When in south Florida, I always try to visit Wakodahatchee and/or Green Cay. Green Cay has a visitor’s center, but I think the two wetlands are otherwise comparable.

The boardwalk is only about a mile, and this is not a natural environment, so it doesn’t count as a hike, but it’s a nice place to walk and enjoy the scenery. Signs provide some information along the boardwalk: