The Lower Peace River Focus Area encompasses the Lettuce Lake sub-watershed in DeSoto County. This area is part of the lower reaches of the Peace River, a critical freshwater resource for the region that flows into Charlotte Harbor. The Peace River and its floodplains are vital for sustaining freshwater ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential ecosystem services such as water filtration and flood mitigation.
Our Strategic Focus
The wetlands and forested areas in this region capture and store significant amounts of carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. Outside of the Everglades, the Lettuce Lake sub-watershed contains the second-highest concentration of carbon stores in our service area, behind the Trout Creek-Catfish Creek Frontal sub-watershed (part of the Charlotte Harbor Focus Area). This focus area is also notable as the location of the RV Griffin Reserve and the reservoir storing water from the Peace River that supplies the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.
Additionally, the Lower Peace River provides important habitat for wading birds, fish, and other wildlife, supporting the ecological diversity of the Charlotte Harbor watershed. Conservation of first-order tidal creeks within this watershed will preserve essential habitat for juvenile tarpon and snook.
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Lower Peace River Focus Area Map
