Shark Valley Reopens After Wet Winter
The Everglades received record breaking flooding in late 2020, which caused the popular Shark Valley entrance to the National Park to remain closed for two months longer than expected. This 15-mile loop trail with an observation tower is familiar to many Floridians and tourists alike, as a common weekend destination. The flooding caused one water gauge in the Park to reach its highest level since the 1960s.
Shark Valley’s reopening occurs months after its initial closure due to Tropical Storm Eta. Although the entrance to Shark Valley has reopened, there are portions of the trail that are still covered in standing water, and the National Park advises caution when crossing these flooded regions. Some animals, like wading birds, have seen an increase in food fish; however, it has left more terrestrial animals, like deer, searching for higher ground. The rains and freshwater are expected to help the sea grasses of Florida Bay which have been experiencing die offs in the last few years.
Read more about this historic flooding event here.
