Sloughs are main routes of moving water through the Everglades.

Shark river slough. Photo courtesy South Florida Water Management District
Shark river slough. Photo courtesy South Florida Water Management District

The deepest marsh habitats within the Everglades are freshwater sloughs (pronounced SLOOs). Sloughs are the main paths of moving water through the Everglades. The hydroperiod is approximately 11 months, making this an idea habitat for aquatic plants. Tree islands consisting of hardwoods and cypress are common in areas with slough habitats. Slough waters support many fish and aquatic invertebrates.

The Everglades contains two main sloughs:

Shark River Slough. Photo courtesy South Florida Water Management District
Shark River Slough. Photo courtesy South Florida Water Management District
Taylor Slough. Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey
Taylor Slough. Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey
Aerial view of lower Taylor Slough near Florida Bay with mangroves and tidal creeks. Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey
Aerial view of lower Taylor Slough near Florida Bay with mangroves and tidal creeks. Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey

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