This Florida Paddle Notes category, Florida Creeks and Spring Runs, lists several creeks and runs explored by Florida Paddle Notes
In 1539 Hernando De Soto came through Gum Swamp on his way to the Timucua village of Ocale. Spanish artifacts and Indian mounds have been located in this area. Gum Slough is water designated worthy of special protection because of its natural attributes and was designated an Outstanding Florida Water in 1989…James
This 1/4 mile long run begins at the head spring inside Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park and flows to the Santa Fe River…a brief video of the pristine water…James
The creek has a moderate to slow flow at the start and is open with no canopy for the first 6.5 miles. The clear, spring-fed water flows through the Alexander Springs Wilderness, bordered with Sabal Palmettos, Cedars, Red Maples, Sweetgum and other hardwood swamp trees.
The original Alligator Creek ( North ) is a 6 1/2 mile long body of water, with it’s source about 4 miles East of Starke. The Creek flows in a southwesterly direction toward Lake Rowell, southwest of Starke, in Bradford County.
Otter Creek is an approximately 11-mile long creek, located in Levy County, 3 miles West of Gulf Hammock. Only the last 2 – 3 miles of the creek are navigable, toward the confluence with the Waccasassa River. The creek source is in the area of the town Otter Creek near Hwy 24 and Hwy 19. Otter Creek flows South until it merges with the Waccasassa River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico just over 4 miles southeast, downriver…James
We launched on the southeast corner of the SR 20 Bridge, near Kate’s Fish Camp. It is a steep slope down to the water but there were no issues. As was the case for the two previous paddles over the last year and a half, the current was moving well and the water was high…James
Bulow Creek is a State of Florida Canoe Trail. It is a shallow, meandering waterway, originating in the wetlands of Graham Swamp, West of the Intercoastal Waterway ( Matanzas River ). Bulow Creek flows South for most of it’s 9 mile length before turning eastward and flowing into the Halifax River. Here is a Bulow Creek Paddle Guide.
The head spring, Salt Springs, gets its name from the magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts rising to the surface through ancient salt deposits. The spring is located in the town of Salt Springs. It is a second magnitude spring with a flow of over 60 cubic feet per second, having several vertical vents in a large shallow pool. Salt Springs Run is a major tributary to the St. Johns River…James
Rock Springs Run is located in Orange County, 5 miles northeast of Apopka, and 5 miles southeast of Sorrento, Fl. It is an 8-mile long run, forming the boundary between the 7,000 acre Wekiwa Springs State Park to the West and the 14,000 acre Rock Springs Run State Preserve to the North and East…James
I always enjoy paddling The Creek because it is a short paddle and very scenic. Beautiful Cypress and Oaks create a nice canopy, the homes, boathouses, and dock present a quaint picture of Creek life. The flow is slow indeed!...James
