Everything about The Ochlockonee River totally explained
The
Ochlockonee River is a fast running river originating in
Georgia, and terminating in
Florida.
Background
The Ochlockonee originates south of the town of
Sylvester in
Worth County in southwest Georgia emptying into Ochlockonee Bay, then into
Apalachee Bay, in
Florida. In Florida, the river forms the western boundaries of
Leon County and
Wakulla County and eastern boundaries of
Gadsden County,
Liberty County, and
Franklin County.
The Ochlockonee flows through the
Red Hills,
Talquin State Forest,
Lake Talquin State Park and the
Apalachicola National Forest, and past
Ochlockonee River State Park, where it's
tidally influenced and a mixture of fresh, brackish, and salt water, on the way to its terminus in
Ochlockonee Bay, which then empties into
Apalachee Bay.
History
Old Spanish documents sometimes refer to the Ochlockonee River as the Rio Agna and in other instances as the Rio de Lagna, while a map from
1683 shows it as the Rio Lana. The names Lagna and Lana may be Spanish renditions of the
Muskogean word LAH'nee, which translates as "yellow". The rich yellows and reds of Red Hills clay give the river a yellowish color.
Eighteenth century English maps give the name as Ogeelaganu or Ochloconee, which probably retains at least the flavor of its
Hitchiti name. Variations of these continued into century with O-clock-ney being used in
1822 and Ockatockany in
1855.
About
1840,
Fort Stansbury was established on the river by placing a two story home that had been abandoned by its owner due to
Indian raids. This fort was important in the forced removal of Indians from the area. Boats would travel upriver to collect and move Native Americans down to Gulf of Mexico ports for removal to "Indian Territories." By
1844, however, Fort Stansbury had been abandoned.
Rare animals that can be found along the Ochlockonee include
Red-cockaded Woodpecker,
Least Tern, and the
Apalachicola dusky salamander. "The
Florida maybell tree can be found only along the Ochlockonee and Chipola Rivers
.
Recreation
Fishing for
bass, perch,
bream and
catfish can be excellent on the Ochlockonee River, and a state-designated canoe trail can be found both upstream and downstream of Lake Talquin. Telogia Creek and the Little River near
State Road 12 are also popular for canoeing
. The
Florida National Scenic Trail follows the river for two miles
.
The Ochlockonee is a vital link in the production of
seafood to the southwest in
Apalachicola Bay. During floods, the river transports organic matter downstream into the
estuary of
Ochlockonee Bay where the shallows of the bay were created by the great volume of sand and clay brought down by the river. This estuary serves as a nursery for numerous species of fish and
shellfish which are the basis for recreational and commercial fishing as well as the world-famous
Apalachicola seafood that this area is known for.
Crossings
A number of major highways cross the Ochlockonee River along its course, including
Interstate 10 and U.S. highways
19,
27 and
98.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Ochlockonee River'.
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