Nearly 55 inches of rain fall here each year, drenching Big Cypress National Preserve during the summer wet season. The fresh water flowing through the preserve replenishes the local aquifer, sustains abundant plant and animal life, and mixes with coastal salt waters in neighboring Everglades National Park to renew nutrient-rich estuaries that serve as nursery grounds for much sea life. Deep water often supports taller cypress trees that commonly form domes or strands, while shallow water favors prairies and dwarf cypress. In South Florida’s subtropical environment, the seasons are reflected in changing water levels, and during the winter dry season wildlife activity concentrates in shrinking water holes. Turner River Road is an unpaved scenic drive for motorists or bicyclists through open prairies, stands of bald cypress, and slash pine, and its canal offers opportunities to observe alligators and wading birds along the way. It connects with Upper Wagon Wheel Road and Birdon Road to form a 17-mile U-shaped loop back to U.S. 41-Tamiami Trail.