Florida Paddle Notes

Ocklawaha River – Gore’s Landing to Eureka East at Hwy 316

Ocklawaha at Gore's LandingYesterday was a beautiful day to revisit the Ocklawaha River. We launched at Gore’s Landing, paddling downstream ( North ) to the take out at Eureka East on HWY 316. The temperature was in the upper 60’s at launch time with spotted showers and became mostly sunny with a high around 72° for most of the paddle…James

Ichetucknee River

The Ichetucknee in FallThe Ichetucknee River is a 6 mile spring-fed river, flowing through Columbia and Suwannee counties in North Central Florida. The river is part of the Ichetucknee Springs group that includes nine named springs that contribute a total of 212 million gallons of water per day. These springs include Ichetucknee Springs, Cedar Head Spring, Blue Hole Spring, Roaring/Mission Spring, Singing Springs, Devil’s Eye (Boiling Spring), Grassy Hole Spring, Mill Pond Spring, and Coffee Spring…James

Floral City Lake – Return to Sleepy Hollow

New Spring Growth on Bald CypressThere are three main open water pools that define the majority of the lake, the Floral City Pool, the Inverness Pool and the Hernando Pool. Today’s paddle was on the Floral City Pool which is made up of Hampton Lake and Floral City Lake. In 1539 the de Soto expedition crossed through the middle section of the Cove. There are numerous archaeological sites throughout the area…James

Withlacoochee River (S) – Florida Barge Canal

Hwy 19 Take Out AheadThis was scheduled as part of a St. Patrick’s Day camping trip. We paddled a short 1.6 miles on the Withlacoochee, entered the Florida Barge Canal, paddled up to the Inglis lock, then all the way down the canal to Hwy 19 and our take-out. Not the most pleasant paddle I have been on. It was cool, cloudy, breezy, and short rain showers. While the Withlacoochee portion was scenic, the Barge Canal was, well it was the Barge Canal. This was one paddle I was glad to see the end!…James

Alexander Spring Creek

Alexander Spring CreekThe 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.

Alligator Creek

Alligator CreekThe 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.