Orange County has many interesting lakes and rivers that flow into and out of its borders. Our waters eventually flow to the Everglades or Jacksonville!

The Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is a team of professionals who are committed to ensuring our water bodies can be used for recreational activities like swimming, fishing, water skiing and so much more.

Projects and programs are continually implemented to maintain and restore the health of our lakes and rivers. On July 15, 2016 an Alum Treatment Facility opened at Lake Down to help control nutrient loading into the Butler Chain of Lakes.

Orange County has 12 major drainage basins that are comprised of a series of lakes and rivers. Were you able to name them all? Visit the Orange County Water Atlas to learn more about these basins and the waterbodies that comprise each watershed.

Did you know Orange County contains three rivers that flow north? The St. Johns, Econlockhatchee and Wekiva! There are only a handful of rivers in the WORLD with this claim to fame!

Orange County has:

• One Aquatic Preserve (Wekiva River)
• One Nationally accredited Wild and Scenic River (Wekiva River)
• Three Outstanding Florida Waters; Butler Chain of Lakes, Econlockhatchee River, and Wekiva River)

The Jr. Naturalist Program provides opportunities for youth, ages 8-14, to learn about nature through outdoor exploration, environmental activities and wildlife interaction. Classes are held on a Saturday once a month from September through May, excluding December, with most classes being held on Orange County conservation properties. All classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited and varies per class.

Environmental Protection Division
3165 McCrory Place, Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32803
Email: lakes@ocfl.net
Phone: (407) 836-1400
Fax: (407) 836-1499

All e-mail sent to this address becomes part of Orange County public record. Comments received by our e-mail subsystem can be read by anyone who requests that privilege. In compliance with "Government in the Sunshine" laws, Orange County Government must make available, at request, any and all information not deemed a threat to the security of law enforcement agencies and personnel.