Ochlockonee River

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Ochlockonee River
Image:Map needed
Origin	near Gordy, Georgia
Mouth	Ochlockonee Bay
Basin countries	United States
Length	300 mi [1]

The Ochlockonee River is a fast running river originating in Georgia, and terminating in Florida.

Contents 1 Background 2 History 2.1 The Civil War 3 Importance 4 Recreation 5 Crossings 6 References 7 External links

[edit] 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 is tidally influenced and a mixture of fresh, brackish, and salt water^[2], on the way to its terminus in Ochlockonee Bay, which then empties into Apalachee Bay.

[edit] 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.^[3]

About 1840, Fort Stansbury was established on the river by placing palisades around 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 them down to Gulf of Mexico ports for removal to "Indian Territories." By 1844, however, Fort Stansbury had been abandoned^[3].

From 1839 to 1842, Fort Virginia Braden was established on the river located at Ft. Braden in Florida. The fort was named after the commander's wife who had died of yellow fever.

[edit] The Civil War

During the Civil War, the Ochlockonee River saw at least one action. On 15 July 1863 USS Stars and Stripes, and USS Somerset^{[citation needed]} destroyed the salt works at Mashes Island. On 29 December Stars and Stripes sank the blockade-running schooner Caroline Gertrude, aground on the bar at the mouth of the Ochlockonee. In 1864, Stars and Stripes also captured the blockade-running steamer Laura off the Ochlockonee on 18 January. The final action of the war took place on 19 and 20 October 1864 when Stars and Stripes destroyed an extensive Confederate fishery at Mashes Island and captured the troops stationed there as guards.^[3]

[edit] Importance

The Ochlockonee River corridor is home to many threatened fish, wildlife and plant species. It is a State of Florida designated Outstanding Florida Water and has been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a Strategic Habitat Conservation Area^[4].

Rare animals that can be found along the Ochlockonee include Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Least Tern, the Apalachicola dusky salamander, and the shell mussel which is found only in a single location in the river^[4]. The Florida maybell tree can be found only along the Ochlockonee and Chipola Rivers^[4].

[edit] 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^[4]. The Florida National Scenic Trail follows the river for two miles^[4].

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.

[edit] Crossings

See also: List of crossings of the Ochlockonee River

A number of major highways cross the Ochlockonee River along its course, including Interstate 10 and U.S. highways 19, 27 and 98.

[edit] References

1. ^ The Rivers of Wakulla. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
2. ^ Ochlockonee River State Park. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Frank Howard. The Ochlockonee River. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} 1000 Friends of Florida. The Ochlockonee River. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.

[edit] External links

• Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District