1943: New Intracoastal Waterway
Oyster Bay was renamed 'Christmas Bay' in this 1943 topographic map and subsequent nautical charts. The 1943 map shows that the new Gulf Intracoastal Waterway bypassed Christmas and Drum Bays. This cut off the flow of freshwater into Christmas Bay from Big Slough. The old intracoastal waterway was abandoned, later silting in, although some deep holes remain and can be seen in modern aerial photographs.
Oyster Bay was renamed 'Christmas Bay' in this 1943 topographic map and subsequent nautical charts. The 1943 map shows that the new Gulf Intracoastal Waterway bypassed Christmas and Drum Bays. This cut off the flow of freshwater into Christmas Bay from Big Slough. The old intracoastal waterway was abandoned, later silting in, although some deep holes remain and can be seen in modern aerial photographs.