Vegetation within river channels was confined to narrow littoral zones. Littoral zones were composed of emersed, submersed, and floating species. Dominant plants included Nuphar lutea, Polygonum densiflorum, Sacciolepis striata , and Panicum hemitomon. Inner bends were shallower with characteristic sandbars. Current Conditions 1.
Vegetation extends well into mid-channel areas and often covers the entire channel width.
There is no variation in vegetation width due to channel morphology. Floating and sprawling species dominate. Although 55 species have been identified in the channels, only 7 of these account for over half of the total coverage. Distribution of vegetation within the channels is independent of channel morphology. High flows will flush thick mats of Scirpus cubensis out of the channel, clearing mid-channel areas.