If there is a body of water anywhere in FL, there can be a gator in it. This is especially true for the larger rivers but even a retention pond such as the ones searched can have them. An apartment complex I lived in when I was younger, right next to the timbercreek shopping center that was searched, had numerous retention ponds and at least one was home to a gator. The intercostal is a big problem because it is mixed salt and fresh water as it is where the river and ocean meet. While you aren't as likely to see as many sharks in the intercoastal because it is mixed with fresh water, and you aren't as likely to see as many gators because of the salt water; the potential still exists for both to be present and therefore is even more of a threat in my opinion.
