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Miami River: Reflections of a City

Flowing through the heart of the city, the river reflects Miami's cultural heritage, economic vitality and precarious natural environment.

Photo by: Michael Wray

The Working River

Nearly 20 percent of the nation's cargo trade with the Caribbean Basin passes through the Miami River. The river is an international transfer point for shippers who each year move two million tons of cargo to and from nearly 100 ports of call. With an estimated $4 billion in annual cargo volume, the Miami River is Florida's fourth largest port and one of the city's largest employers. River properties are assessed at $1.3 billion and generate nearly $20 million in annual property taxes. Hotels on the Miami River served half a million overnight guests in 2000, representing annual expenditures of $100 million. (Source: Miami River Commission Economic Report)

Photo by: Michael Wray

Home on the River

The Miami River is home to a large and diverse human population. From South Florida's earliest settlement, the river has been a center of residential life, with waterfront homes in styles rustic, historic, classic and contemporary. Historic neighborhoods rich in tradition and culture include Overtown, Spring Garden, Grove Park, Allapattah and East Little Havana.

Photo by: Michael Wray

The Natural River

The word Miami means "sweet water." As long as people have occupied this land, the river has been an important source of water, animal life and plant life. The endangered manatee, while still at home in the river, is a symbol of the ecosystem at risk. This popular animal - and other species that depend on clean water - will benefit from steps now underway to restore the environmental health of the river and surrounding areas. A major dredging project will remove contaminated sediments from the river and deepen its flow. Stabilizing the shoreline and reducing pollutants from the surrounding watershed will clean the river and restore its health and beauty.

Photo by: Michael Wray

Heritage

The historic and archaeological record of the Miami River tells a fascinating story of human cultural activity, from the earliest Native Americans to 19th century settlers to the courageous immigrants of yesterday and today. The Miami Circle, at the mouth of the river, is a unique artifact believed to reflect the culture of the Native Americans who lived here as much as 2,000 years ago. Other archaeological sites reveal glimpses of the lives of the city's more recent settlers. Along the river are also many examples of historic architecture - Fort Dallas, the Scottish Rite Temple, Wagner House and the Miami River Inn among others.

Photo by: Michael Wray

A Destination Landscape

The Miami River Greenway will offer a fascinating view of the working river, with its daily bustle of shipyards, cargo and commercial marine activity. The river will become a focal point of tourism and entertainment - a place where visitors and residents gather for dining, shopping, recreation and cultural enjoyment. With development of the Greenway, the Miami River will be a major tourist attraction, blending scenic landscape with lively commerce. Walkways and bike trails, restaurants and cafes, hotels, inns, shopping and historic sites: all combine to make the Miami River an appealing center of activity.