Floren Pond

Floren Pond
Floren Pond from the south
Location	Dominion of Afula, Kingdom of Florenia
Type	Artificial pond
Primary inflows	Small creek
Basin countries	Florenia United States
Jurisdiction	Florenia
Max. length	1,460 ft (450 m)
Max. width	790 ft (240 m)
Surface area	approx. 17 acres (6.9 ha)
Max. depth	12 ft (3.7 m)
Shore length1	approx. 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km)
Surface elevation	1,116 ft (340 m)
Frozen	Winter months
Islands	4
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Floren Pond is a 17 acres (6.9 ha) freshwater pond in the Dominion of Afula, capital of the Kingdom of Florenia. The pond comprises the majority of Florenia's territory. Floren Pond is bordered on its northern, western, and eastern sides by the United States and on its southern side by Afula, with much of the Florenian coastline within Eran National Park. Lying at 1,116 ft (340 m) above sea-level, its depth ranges from around 3 ft (0.91 m) to 12 ft (3.7 m). The pond is home to the Princes Islands.

The pond was artificially created by Carl and Nelly Floren, previous owners of the property which comprises modern-day Afula, from the swamp which previously occupied the same area. A small creek was diverted into the basin, which continues to feed the pond. Beaver, Canadian geese, heron, and various other species including many fish, turtles, frogs, and insects are known to populate the pond and its immediate surroundings.

Floren Pond is one of Florenia's defining geographical characteristics and has had a profound effect on Florenian culture. It is the subject by numerous pieces of environmental protection legislation, including limiting fishing quantities and outlawing pollution, which are overseen and enforced by the Ministry of Environment. As its shoreline runs along the majority of the Florenian border, the pond is integral to Florenian security, which is overseen by the Florenian Royal Navy.

There are seven American properties with waterfront access to Floren Pond. Longstanding convention which precedes Florenia's foundation permits these properties virtually unrestricted access to the pond, which many take advantage of frequently for leisure activities such as swimming and kayaking.

Floren Pond is or has been host to many popular activities, including canoeing, fishing, wildlife-watching, and ice-skating. As is the case with all property in the Kingdom not under the jurisdiction of Eran National Park, the pond is property of the Crown.

Geography

Floren Pond has a total area of approximately 17 acres (6.9 ha). Along the coast of Afula, the water is only around 3 ft (0.91 m) deep. However, in the center of the pond, depths can reach up to 12 ft (3.7 m). It spans 1,460 ft (450 m) at its longest and 790 ft (240 m) at its widest. It measures less than 100 ft (30 m) at its thinnest, between two points on the western cove. Its shoreline stretches over 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km).

Princes Islands from above, looking west.

The pond surrounds the Princes Islands group that consists of Nathan Island, Henry Island, and Zachary Island, which are named for the three children of Eran. Nathan Island is the only island that can be walked upon, with an area of approximately 280 sq ft (26 m²) and is decorated with a stone plaque commemorating the builders of the pond. Also, connected to Nathan Island by tree roots, is a small island named Izzy Island, after the Princes' cousin Lady Isabella, Duchess of Fishrock. Zachary Island is the second largest at an area of approximately 640 sq ft (59 m²), and Henry Island the largest of the three at approximately 1,500 sq ft (140 m²). However, both are overgrown with shrubbery and cannot be walked on or explored further than what can be seen from the water. Around the islands, the water is extremely shallow and the lake bed extremely rocky.

The narrow channel that separates Nathan and Zachary Islands is very shallow and rocky, with rocks both totally submerged, hidden from view, and protruding above the surface. It is very difficult for boats to navigate these shallow waters, and this passage is almost always avoided by the Florenian Royal Navy. Therefore, vessels always dock on the south/southwest shore of Nathan Island, where it is also easy to affix a line to tree roots and disembark.