The water at Lee County's Manatee Park is normally filled with manatees looking for a less frigid refuge during the cooler months of Southwest Florida's year.
The warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across State Road 80 is created as a byproduct of cooling off the utility company's power-generating equipment.
Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Open every day, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to sunset.
There is also a web cam on the park web site.
The large aquatic mammals visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
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