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Canoeing and Kayaking
in
Madison County Florida
by
Jim Wagner
Every
bend in
Madison
County’s three rivers brings a new picture of the
original Florida. Even the rhythmic, lyrical names of
our rivers, Aucilla,
Suwannee, and
Withlacoochee, imply that this is like no other place
for year-round canoeing.
The
Aucilla, with a swift current, shoals, and manmade dams,
is appealing to even the most adventurous canoer. The
Suwannee offers possibilities for long, lazy floats,
whether just for a few hours, several days, or a whole
week. The Withlacoochee, with clear springs and abundant
wildlife, meanders through 15,000 acres of Twin Rivers
State Forest.
Madison County’s rivers flow through pristine habitats
with tall cypresses, live oaks, pines, and palmettos.
Along the bends, you will find white sand beaches for
camping. The woodlands are home to a wide variety of
wildlife. You can often see deer, raccoons, otters,
bobcats, and the teeth marks on trees that are evidence
of beavers. Overhead, red-tailed hawks and ospreys fly
in lazy circles, while kingfishers dive for fish.
Songbirds, including the Parula Warbler, call from the
trees, and woodpeckers make a knocking sound in the
forests. Long-legged wading birds like the great blue
heron silently search the shallow water for food.
Limestone outcrops line the banks. Ancient ocean fossils
in the limestone are evidence of a time when the
shoreline extended farther inland and the sea covered
much of present-day
Florida.
There is also evidence of early man in the form of
arrowheads and pottery fragments.
Withlacoochee River:
Notes and Characteristics:
Skill
Level: Beginner
Difficulty: Moderate
Usual
Currents: 2–3 mph (average)
Access: SR 145 bridge at Pinetta
CR 150 bridge at Pinetta
SR 6 bridge at
Lee
Suwannee River State Park
Suwannee River:
Skill
Level: Beginner
Difficulty: Moderate
Ususal Current: 2–3 mph (average)
Access: US 90 bridge at Ellaville; Suwannee River State
Park
Boundary
Bend
south of Lee
Aucilla River:
Skill
Level: Intermediate to Technical
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Usual
Current: 3+ mph
Access: US 27 bridge south of Greenville
Local
outfitters (call 850–973–2788 for listing) can provide
information on river conditions, transportation, and
precautions.
This
page created by Pat Cantey
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