The estuary is relatively shallow, averaging 3- 4 feet in depth except in St. George Sound where the average depth is nine feet. Because of its more northern location, the estuary is not influenced significantly by wet and dry seasons. Demographics Human population densities throughout the watershed are relatively low. In fact, a 1987 study showed that only about 1 percent of the land area had been developed for urban use. The primary economic activities are forestry and commercial fishing.
Seagrasses are important, but are limited to shoals and shallow lagoons.
Some problems are occurring due to the spread of an exotic grass. Both marine and freshwater communities can be found in the bays, creeks and tributaries. Oyster bars and reefs are also found in the estuary and during the 1980s the estuary had the state's most valuable oyster fishery. Shrimp are especially abundant and the estuary serves as a major shrimp nursery area for the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous species of commercially and recreationally important finfish depend on the estuary at some point in their life cycle.