Manatee River

The Manatee River is a 36-mile-long (58 km) river in Manatee County, Florida. The river arises in the northeastern corner of Manatee County and flows into the Gulf of Mexico at the southern edge of Tampa Bay. The Manatee River has a watershed that is approximately 360 square miles (930 km2). Lake Manatee, an artificial reservoir, is located about midway in the river's course. The lower part of the river is an estuary, with Bradenton and other cities located along its banks. The river's main tributary is the Braden River, which runs through the communities of River Club and Lakewood Ranch. Wildlife in and around the river includes alligators, herons, manatees, dolphins, and fish such as bass, bluegill, catfish, and gar. Bull sharks are occasionally found in the brackish water near its delta.