The Florida Paddling Trails Association, which was initially formed to provide support for the Florida Circumnavigational Salt Water Trail, has increased its’ scope to include inland paddling trails. They are actively recruiting paddle trail keepers. To read more about the organization go to www.floridapaddlingtrails.com.
I have decided to work with this group and have volunteered to be the Chipola River Paddling Trail contact. My first goal was to paddle the entire 52-mile water trail sections at a time. I have accomplished this goal and will work toward finding legal camping spots, do river clean-ups, and promoting paddling on the Chipola River.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Springs in the Chipola River Basin
There are a total of 63 springs identified in a 2003-04 study conducted by the North West Florida Water Management District with funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In Jackson County, 30 of these springs are located north of I-10 and 28 are south of I-10. There are 5 more springs in Calhoun County. The springs can be categorized as typical fissure-type vents and those that discharge by diffuse percolation, which are called seep springs.
Discharge measurements of the Chipola River at US 90 indicated a base flow of approximately 300 cubic feet per second. At CR 274 west of Altha, the base flow is 800 cubic feet per second. The small surface water drainage streams emptying into the Chipola River cannot account for this increase. The major tributaries to the Chipola River are Rocky Creek, Dry Creek, and Spring Creek which all are spring runs for first and second magnitude springs groups.
One would expect that since much of the water in the Chipola River comes from springs that it would have clear water most of the time. This is not true, because the upper Chipola River runs through rich farmland, and the water traveling downstream is often muddy. Only at low water levels after an extended period without rain will the water be clear.
Discharge measurements of the Chipola River at US 90 indicated a base flow of approximately 300 cubic feet per second. At CR 274 west of Altha, the base flow is 800 cubic feet per second. The small surface water drainage streams emptying into the Chipola River cannot account for this increase. The major tributaries to the Chipola River are Rocky Creek, Dry Creek, and Spring Creek which all are spring runs for first and second magnitude springs groups.
One would expect that since much of the water in the Chipola River comes from springs that it would have clear water most of the time. This is not true, because the upper Chipola River runs through rich farmland, and the water traveling downstream is often muddy. Only at low water levels after an extended period without rain will the water be clear.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Camping
Camping is available at Florida Cavern State Park, 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, FL 32446. 850-482-9599 or 850-482-1228. The toll-free number for reservations is 1-800-326-3521 and the website for reservations is www.ReserveAmerica.com.
This Park is about a half mile north of the Chipola Boat Ramp on SR 166 at Yancey Bridge
The second spot for camping is a private campground at Scotts Ferry General Store and Campground. They have some cabins, and space for tents or trailers/RV's. There number is 850-674-2900 and they are located at 6684 Sr. 71 S, Blountstown, FL 32424
Camping On the River: A majority of the land is privately owned so there are no officially designated camping sites along the river. There are two islands where locals camp, and some people paddle a short distance up Dry Creek and camp on a spot on the left side of the creek. Sandbars are extremely limited along the Chipola, so one cannot expect to camp on sandbars.
This Park is about a half mile north of the Chipola Boat Ramp on SR 166 at Yancey Bridge
The second spot for camping is a private campground at Scotts Ferry General Store and Campground. They have some cabins, and space for tents or trailers/RV's. There number is 850-674-2900 and they are located at 6684 Sr. 71 S, Blountstown, FL 32424
Camping On the River: A majority of the land is privately owned so there are no officially designated camping sites along the river. There are two islands where locals camp, and some people paddle a short distance up Dry Creek and camp on a spot on the left side of the creek. Sandbars are extremely limited along the Chipola, so one cannot expect to camp on sandbars.
Where to Rent a Canoe or Kayak
Paddling on the lower Chipola in a section of the river known as Ward Lake850-482-4948
21oo Bear Paw Lane, Marianna, FL 32446
Bear Paw Canoe Trails are open daily from April through September. During other months of the year one should call and make an appointment. They have two trips:
1. From SR 166 to the Bear Paw Landing immediately before Magnolia Bridge. On this trip one can see Sandbag Spring, the caves called the Ovens, and Maund Spring, paddle a ways up Spring Creek, or stop for a swim.
2. Spring Creek and Chipola Paddle. This is a short paddle down twisty Spring Creek which empties into the Chipola River, and ends at the Bear Paw Landing. Expect this paddle to be crowded with tubers on summer week-ends.
Scotts Ferry General Store and
Campground at 850-674-2900
6648 State Road 71 S, Blountstown, FL 32424
The Scotts Ferry Store has canoes and kayaks for rent and will furnish shuttle service with advanced arrangements. If you don't call in advance and coordinate with the store, one is limited to paddling upstream and back from the boatramp on the Chipola River.
1. Jehue Landing to Scotts Ferry: A 7 mile paddle from a Calhoun County put-in down to Scotts Ferry.
2.SR 20 to Scotts Ferry: A 14 mile paddle from SR 20 west of Blountstown to Scotts Ferry.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Using the Greenwave Forum
There are many descriptions and pictures of the Chipola River Paddling Trail posted on the Greenwave Forum. To find the information, use the link in this blog, or go to www.clubkayak.com/greenwave and select NW Florida from the Homepage. Then select Chipola River from the list of paddles and read the information posted.
Access Points
1. SR 166 Bridge - one mile north of Marianna. Turn R from US 90 (Lafayette Street) onto Jefferson Street at the courthouse. Boat ramp is marked with signs and is on the SW side of river.
2. SR 280 Bridge/ Magnolia Road - Travel from I-10 exit 142 South on SR 71 to SR 280 and turn right. The public boat ramp is on the left immediately past the bridge directly across from the hanging red canoe marking the Bear Paw Livery.
3. SR 278 Bridge/Peacock Bridge Road - One mile west of SR 71, 6 miles south of I-10 exit 142.
4. Johnny Boy Landing: SR 274 about two miles west of Altha, which is located on SR 71 11 miles south of I-10. Look for the sign to the landing on the left side of the road, and travel down a gravel road to the landing. This is a much better landing to use than the one on SR 274.
5. SR 274 Bridge - about three miles west of Altha, which is located on SR 71 11 miles south of I-10. This landing is not recommended because one must carry boats and gear down a significant flight of steps, which are not firmly anchored due to high water damage.
6. Lamb Eddy Landing. Travel SR 274 west of Altha, which is located on SR 71 11 miles south of I-10. Go 2.2 miles (past the SR 274 Bridge) to Hamilton Springs Road and turn right. Travel 2 miles to Lamb Eddy Road and turn left and travel to boat ramp.
7. SR 20 Bridge- one mile east of Clarksville which is located at the intersection of SR 73 and SR 20. Landing includes a wayside park with restrooms.
8. Jehue Landing - Located on CR 275. If traveling south, turn right on Jehue Landing Road and drive to the landing. The put-in is a dirt track.
9. SR 71 Bridge - At Scott's Ferry. There is a store, boat ramp, and camping area at Scott's Ferry. Stop at the store and pay the fee to use the boat ramp. In November 2008 the fee was $3.00
2. SR 280 Bridge/ Magnolia Road - Travel from I-10 exit 142 South on SR 71 to SR 280 and turn right. The public boat ramp is on the left immediately past the bridge directly across from the hanging red canoe marking the Bear Paw Livery.
3. SR 278 Bridge/Peacock Bridge Road - One mile west of SR 71, 6 miles south of I-10 exit 142.
4. Johnny Boy Landing: SR 274 about two miles west of Altha, which is located on SR 71 11 miles south of I-10. Look for the sign to the landing on the left side of the road, and travel down a gravel road to the landing. This is a much better landing to use than the one on SR 274.
5. SR 274 Bridge - about three miles west of Altha, which is located on SR 71 11 miles south of I-10. This landing is not recommended because one must carry boats and gear down a significant flight of steps, which are not firmly anchored due to high water damage.
6. Lamb Eddy Landing. Travel SR 274 west of Altha, which is located on SR 71 11 miles south of I-10. Go 2.2 miles (past the SR 274 Bridge) to Hamilton Springs Road and turn right. Travel 2 miles to Lamb Eddy Road and turn left and travel to boat ramp.
7. SR 20 Bridge- one mile east of Clarksville which is located at the intersection of SR 73 and SR 20. Landing includes a wayside park with restrooms.
8. Jehue Landing - Located on CR 275. If traveling south, turn right on Jehue Landing Road and drive to the landing. The put-in is a dirt track.
9. SR 71 Bridge - At Scott's Ferry. There is a store, boat ramp, and camping area at Scott's Ferry. Stop at the store and pay the fee to use the boat ramp. In November 2008 the fee was $3.00
November Paddle
Chipola River, Friday, Nov. 14
The meeting spot for the Chipola Paddle was at the Yancy Bridge Boat Landing on SR 166 north of Marianna. 13 club members and 8 invited guests arrived at the landing. We were then off for a shuttle through town and out to Magnolia Landing. It took some time for everyone to get in the water, and with people stopping to visit Sandbag Spring close to the put-in; the group was spread out down the river, but regrouped at the lunch spot. After lunch the group paddled by limestone outcroppings including a cave known as the Ovens. Paddlers traveled up a short spring run to Maund Springs, and some paddled a distance up Spring Creek. Spring Creek is the outflow from Jackson Blue Springs, but one can’t paddle upstream to reach the spring without crossing a dam at US 90 and paddling another four miles or so up Merritt’s Millpond. After passing under the I-10 bridge paddlers quickly reached the take-out.Although there were storm warnings, the morning storms were east of us in the Tallahassee area, and a later storm came through around 9:00 p.m. While we were on the river we had brief sprinkles but no significant rainfall. The weather was warm and the fall color of the hardwood trees beautiful.
Posted by Paddlesolo at 8:27 AM 0 comments
Posted by Paddlesolo at 8:27 AM 0 comments
Chipola River Paddling Trail
Description of the Chipola River Paddling Trail
The Chipola River Paddling Trail is officially designated as part of Florida's Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. On some website postings the trail is listed as starting in Florida Caverns State Park. This 1 mile section has been closed to create a wildlife habitat and the starting point is on SR 166 one mile north of Marianna at the bridge. The Paddling Trail is 52 miles in length and has 9 access points, 8 of which are at public boat landings. The access point at the SR 274 Bridge uses wooden steps to access the river and the foundation has been washed away by flooding, and is unsafe at this time. Johnny Boy Landing is the closest alternative to that point.This beautiful trail flows through river swamps and hardwood forests of beech, magnolia, oak and dogwood. Wildlife that has been spotted along the river include deer, beaver, alligator, turtles. The most common birds sighted include Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Kingfisher, Vultures, Hawks and songbirds. There are numerous springs along the river including the main ones named Sandbag Spring and Maund Spring. Limestone appears in the riverbanks, and often rises to form the bottom of the river, creating shoals at low water levels. The main shoal is knows as Look and Tremble below the SR 274 Bridge. Below Jehue Landing in Calhoun County the river enters an area known as Ward Lake. This isn't a true lake, but an area where the river splits into many branches. To continue to Scott's Ferry, one should stay in the section that goes right. There is a red sign denoting this turn, and later on a yellow sign. The river narrows into a small shallow stream, and then immediately prior to Scott's Ferry all the branches reform into a proper river. The Chipola River Paddling Trail ends at Scott's Ferry.
The Chipola River Paddling Trail is officially designated as part of Florida's Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. On some website postings the trail is listed as starting in Florida Caverns State Park. This 1 mile section has been closed to create a wildlife habitat and the starting point is on SR 166 one mile north of Marianna at the bridge. The Paddling Trail is 52 miles in length and has 9 access points, 8 of which are at public boat landings. The access point at the SR 274 Bridge uses wooden steps to access the river and the foundation has been washed away by flooding, and is unsafe at this time. Johnny Boy Landing is the closest alternative to that point.This beautiful trail flows through river swamps and hardwood forests of beech, magnolia, oak and dogwood. Wildlife that has been spotted along the river include deer, beaver, alligator, turtles. The most common birds sighted include Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Kingfisher, Vultures, Hawks and songbirds. There are numerous springs along the river including the main ones named Sandbag Spring and Maund Spring. Limestone appears in the riverbanks, and often rises to form the bottom of the river, creating shoals at low water levels. The main shoal is knows as Look and Tremble below the SR 274 Bridge. Below Jehue Landing in Calhoun County the river enters an area known as Ward Lake. This isn't a true lake, but an area where the river splits into many branches. To continue to Scott's Ferry, one should stay in the section that goes right. There is a red sign denoting this turn, and later on a yellow sign. The river narrows into a small shallow stream, and then immediately prior to Scott's Ferry all the branches reform into a proper river. The Chipola River Paddling Trail ends at Scott's Ferry.
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