Econlockhatchee River

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Econlockhatchee River

Origin	Lake Conlin north of Holopaw
Mouth	St. Johns River near Puzzle Lake.
Basin countries	United States
Length	63 miles
Source elevation	67 ft

Econlockhatchee River (Econ River for short) is a north-flowing blackwater tributary of the St. Johns River that runs through Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. It serves the east area of the Orlando Metropolitan Area (east of Florida State Road 417). The mouth of the river is at the St. Johns River near Puzzle Lake. The river's floodplain is completely a forest. The headwaters are Lake Conlin. Near Oviedo, the river changes direction. The only known tributary of the river is the Little Econlockhatchee River, in Oviedo near Chuluoata Road. Because the river is so twisty, the river is 50 miles long, about the distance from Indialantic to Kissimmee by U.S. Route 192. South of Florida State Road 528, the river cut's through the Econlockhatchee River Swamp near Lake Conlin, the origin of the river.

1 River flowing "backwards"
2 Econlockhatchee River Swamp
3 List of Crossings
4 Gallery
5 See Also
6 References

[edit] River flowing "backwards"

Due to the Oviedo Lights phenomenom at the Snow Hill Road crossing near Oviedo, a boy was killed at the bridge across the Econlockhatchee River. It is said by local people that the moment when you see the lights, the river flows backward toward Lake Conlin, and away from the St. Johns River. Most people are watching the lights so the people don't notice the river, but it will switch course and run backward. Then, when the lights are gone, the river will flow toward the St. Johns River again.

[edit] Econlockhatchee River Swamp

South of Florida State Road 528, the river enters the Econlockhatchee River Swamp. There is almost no tribitaries in the area. Located southeast of Orlando, It is 13 miles long, from Lake Conlin to Florida State Road 528. South of Florida State Road 532, the swamp is locally known as Cat Island Swamp, named after the island near Osceola County Road 500A. It borders the headwaters of the Econlockhatchee River, Lake Conlin. This is where the Econlockhatchee River is at it's widest. However, the widest point is only 1 mile wide, bordered by Lake Preston to the west. 7 miles downstream, the rivers elevation is 61 feet. There is a tributary named the Disston Canal. It flows from Lake Mary Jane and Lake Hart. Turkey Creek Bay is an arm of the swamp, containing the tributary, Turkey Creek. It is also the source of that tributary. The Econlockhatchee River north of Wewahootee Road is back into a free flowing river for the rest of the journey to the St. Johns River.

[edit] List of Crossings

Route	Location	Coordinates
Snow Hill Road	Oviedo	28°40′40″N, 81°06′50″W
Seminole County Road 419	Oviedo
CR 420	Orlando
Florida State Road 50	Bithlo
Florida State Road 528 near Dallas Boulevard	Orlando
Wewahoote Road	Orlando
Florida State Road 532	Holopaw	28°16′31″N, 81°06′33″W