Waterways

With more than 165 miles of waterways winding through our neighborhoods, Fort Lauderdale is truly the “Venice of America.” Our canals, rivers, and Intracoastal Waterway are where residents and visitors paddle, boat, fish, and gather. They support a thriving marine industry and give our city its unique character.

Caring for a waterway network this size takes more than any one department. The City is managing its waterways comprehensively, bringing together water quality monitoring, pollution prevention, marine facilities, police & fire, code enforcement, habitat restoration, and community partnerships under a coordinated approach led by the Chief Waterways Officer.

Whether you’re checking water quality before a paddle, looking for a place to launch your boat, or wondering how you can help keep our waterways clean, you’ll find it here. Together, we can keep Fort Lauderdale’s waterways healthy, accessible, and vibrant for generations to come.