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The lateral is an extensively dredged and channelized replacement of the natural drainage patterns west of Gottfried Creek. Many of Sarasota County’s drainage projects were completed through WPA (Works Progress Administration) projects between 1935 to 1943. I am assuming our lateral was dug about 1940 to reduce flooding and turn wetlands and swamp into land suitable for agriculture and cattle farming. It is unlikely that a project like this could happen now with today’s more environmentally conscious culture.
Common in our area are coastal-plain willow, wax myrtle, saw palmetto, and Brazilian pepper which can be found along the banks. Adjacent undeveloped habitats include mesic hammocks dominated by oak, slash pine and palms.
We refer to our lateral by many names; the Lateral, the creek, stream, ditch and such. Some proper names include Gottfried Creek and Goldfish Creek. Officially, it is The North Englewood Drainage Lateral, a drainage channel. The property, 100 feet wide, containing the waterway and the abutting land is owned by the TWOA but Sarasota County maintains a 100 foot drainage easement. This includes the waterway and land on both sides.
During average conditions, the water surface drops about 1.4 feet from SR 776 to TW Blvd., then another 0.7 feet to the double bridge at the powerlines on its way to Gottfried Creek and Lemon Bay. The state tests the water periodically and the county sprays the surface vegetation and mows the banks about twice a year. Reports online state that the water quality is “fair to poor”. I heard rumor that the county dredges the lateral every three years, and hope they remove what they dredge. All this maintenance causes trauma to the local wild plants and animals, but it is needed and we just have to live with it. Without it, flooding would pose a real threat to us.
It is important that we do not feed the animals or birds. It is especially important that we do not feed the alligators. Doing so trains them to connect food with humans, and that is very bad for the alligators as they will be removed and killed if they become threatening. My hobby is photographing nature along the lateral area; watching wildlife swim, fly, roost, search for food and multiply. My alias is Tangerine Woodsman.
I hope that all TW residents, their families and guests will take time to walk this area or ride your cart (where permitted). You can access our green spaces from TW Blvd. at the lateral bridge or from the end of Arbordale Court. While walking the Lateral easement, be sure to include the Nature Trail, Nature Preserve and the huge FLAG property which connects to the far end of the Nature Trail. Having these green spaces so close to us is a real blessing.
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