Deep Creek
Deep Creek is a 12-mile creek, originating in the low, agricultural land 6.5 miles southeast of Hastings, Fl. and flowing in a westerly, then northwest, direction, to the St. Johns River. The basic navigable portion of the creek is from the Hwy 207 bridge, just east of Hastings to the St. Johns River. According to the St. Johns River Guidebook, the creek is thought to have been given its name due to its 18 – 20′ depth and was popular with fishermen boating in from the St. Johns River…James
With the Rodman Reservoir drawdown ending, it was time to revisit Sweetwater Creek and Deep Creek while the water was at a low level. On a previous paddle in September 2019, the water level was quite a bit higher and much of the paddle was over the hundreds of tree stumps killed by the reservoir waters…James
We decided to do an exploratory paddle this week on Sweetwater Creek. The creek was a tributary to the Ocklawaha River, but now, unfortunately, a tributary to Rodman Reservoir. The Creek forms in the swampland north of the Ocklawaha and has a navigable distance of 3 miles depending on the water lettuce, which forms large clogs throughout the creek…James