Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers

Springs, campgrounds, restaurants, hazards, and more!

Courtesy of Kempter.com

Disclaimer:

  • This may not be used for navigation.
  • This information is very incomplete. You may use this to augment your existing information, but don’t assume it’s correct.
  • Hazards, depths and snags change with time.
  • I disclaim all responsibility for actions taken based on this information. Verify everything yourself and buy insurance.
  • PLEASE send me with corrections and additions.
  • Some data has been supplied by the Suwannee River Water Management District (http://www.srwmd.state.fl.us/
    ). Always check their page for the latest river levels. Email them for a great CD-ROM of springs information.
  • Check often for updates
  • Most data is collected during normal river levels (4 to 5’ at Wilcox). Check back often for updates – data has been recently gathered during low water, but not posted.
  • It is best to explore new territory while going upstream because the current will help you back off a problem area rather than forcing you into it. Also, if you become disabled, the current will eventually take you back home.

Copyright 1995-2005 by Paul Kempter, except for portions provided by SRWMD. Distribution for free encouraged with copyright notice and disclaimer intact. Commercial use must be licensed. Last update 5/05.

Location

WP #

Miles from Mouth

Latitude

dd mm.mmm

Longitude

dd mm.mmm

Details – All left/right references apply as going UPSTREAM.

MGD = Million Gallons per Day

Siphon = Opposite of a spring. Takes in from river.

Santa Fe River Points of Interest

         

General Information:

Several no wake zones: 1/10 mi at mouth, 1/10 mi at first and second campgrounds, 1/10 mi at CR49 bridge, 1 mile at Ginnae springs park, at least 1 more.

Mouth

       

Joins Suwannee River

Private park

       

Gas, restaurant, small store, camping

Campground

       

Gas, restaurant, small store

Ichetucknee River - Mouth

 

7

   

Rocks at mouth of Ichetucknee and other places upstream. Clear spring fed river. Entire river is no wake zone, strong current makes it difficult to obey no wake zone and make upstream progress. Many other restrictions posted at mouth. Motorized boats prohibited upstream of hwy 27. Tunnels under hwy 27, strong currents. Tubing from spring head to hwy 27 – see Ichetucknee springs state park web page.

Sunbeam

   

29 55.650

82 46.183

29MGD. On left.

Jamison

   

29 55.533

82 46.200

3MGD. Only flows when groundwater is high. Private. On left.

COL917971

   

29 55.467

82 46.317

6MGD. Private. On left.

Rock

107

 

29 54.993

82 46.350

Shallow, rock ledge under water.

Bridge

62

 

29 54.678

82 51.525

SR129 CR49. Canoeing at 441 bridge 904 454-2050.

Island

61

 

29 54.507

82 46.051

Unknown if any hazards exist.

Wilson/Gilligan

   

29 53.967

82 45.517

25MGD. Private. On left.

COL928971

   

29 53.15

82 45.100

3MGD. On riverbank. On left.

Myrtle’s Fissure

   

29 51.467

82 44.034

11MGD. 100’ long fracture in riverbank, private property. AKA Col928972 On left.

Col1012971

   

29 51.400

82 43.783

10MGD. 15’ fracture on riverbank. On left.

Col1012972

   

29 51.367

82 43.900

7MGD. 70’ long fracture on riverbank. 150’ run. On left.

Siphon s5

   

29 51.217

82 43.467

32MGD. On left.

Siphon s4

   

29 51.2

82 43.183

96MGD. On left.

Rocks

108

 

29 51.008

82 42.983

Rocks in middle & left, then right.

Twin Springs

53

 

29 50.447

82 42.325

Part of Ginnae sp park. Big crack.

Sawdust

   

29 50.383

82 42.217

4MGD. Across from Ginnie Springs park. 150’ run. On left.

Ginnae Springs

54

 

29 50.174

82 42.025

Medium size swimming hole, diving OK. Private resort. Access from road or from river.

Little Devil Spg

       

500’ upstream of Ginnae springs. AKA Devil ear/Devil eye springs. Two holes on one run. 23’ deep. Part of Ginnae sp park. Diving OK. Access from river or park.

July

   

29 50.150

82 41.783

75 MGD. Across from Devil’s springs complex. Private property. 150’ from river. Hydrilla. On left.

Blue Springs (of Santa Fe)

56

 

29 49.765

82 40.867

Private resort, access from river dock or CR 340 (904 454-1369). Camping. Huge swimming hole, diving board. Spring run is shallow w/tape grass, blocked just before head.

Rum Island Sp

55

 

29 50.049

82 40.796

39MGD. On left. Medium size swimming hole, 10’ deep. Public park at end of road. No facilities. Apparently gathering spot of UF students. Just downstream of Rum Island.

Col101975

   

29 50.017

82 40.683

0.35MGD. in riverbed in Rum Island County Park. On left.

Rum Island

60

 

29 49.930

82 40.650

Shallow on both sides. Extreme right may be OK Snag in center between right side of island and shore. Shallow at upstream end of island. Boat ramp on left side

Col101974

   

29 50.033

82 40.600

6MGD. On riverbank in Rum Island County Park. On left.

Col191972

   

29 50.017

82 40.517

4MGD. On riverbank in Rum Island County Park. On left.

Col1101971

   

29 49.883

82 40.150

2MGD. On riverbank. On left.

Picard Springs

57

 

29 49.838

82 39.748

Small spring head. No place to beach or dock. No access from road.

Rocks, grass

109

 

29 49.827

82 39.386

Wide, shallow, rocky, very grassy. Keep left then center.

Col930971

   

29 49.800

82 39.433

9MGD. On left.

Shallow

59

 

29 49.505

82 39.234

Wide and shallow.

Poe Springs

58

 

29 49.511

82 38.971

32MGD Nice clean public Park, nice swimming hole.

Island

       

Island upstream from Poe – both sides rocky, shallow

Rocks

       

1 mile upstream from Poe at power lines, rocks in middle.

Col428892

   

29 49.633

82 38.750

16MGD. 30’ Fracture on riverbank. Private. On left.

ALA930971

   

29 49.650

82 38.450

13MGD in riverbed.

ALA930972

   

29 50.650

82 37.850

45MGD in riverbed.

Siphon s3

   

29 50.917

82 37.317

128MGD. On left.

Columbia

   

29 51.217

82 36.717

196 MGD on left. Private property. 400’ run. There was a hotel here in the 20’s and 30’s on the South side. On left.

Siphon s2

   

29 51.133

82 36.583

38MGD. On left.

Darby Springs

   

29 51.133

82 36.366

10MGD on Hornsby spring run. On right.

ALA112971 spr

   

29 51.266

82 36.166

260MGD in riverbed.

Col428981

   

29 51.200

82 36.033

2MGD. Behind riverbank, discharges through riverbank. Private. On left.

Siphon

   

29 51.500

82 35.950

45MGD On right.

Grass

110

 

29 51.335

82 36.851

Wide, very grass. Best on right. 2 sections. Public ramp at upstream end.

Bridge?

112

 

29 51.190

82 36.255

Rt 441?

Hornsby Springs

   

29 51.00

82 35.583

225 MGD (HUGE!) in private park. Long spring run. On right.

Santa Fe Rise

   

29 52.417

82 35.500

283 MGD. Entire River comes out of the ground!.

Santa Fe Sink

   

29 54.8

82 34.6

River goes into underground for 2 miles at O’Leno state park. On left.

Col61981

   

29 56.05

82 31.817

96MGD. Private property. Run is 200’ long. On left.

Col61982

   

29 56.283

82 31.817

0.64MGD. three vents in riverbank On left.

           

Gil729971

         

Gil107971

         

Trail Springs

         

Gil107972

         

Gil917971

         

Gil729973

         

Gil729972

         

Gil99971

         

Gil99972

         

Oasis Spring

         

Gil99974

         

Gil928972

         

Gil928971

         

Gil1012974

         

Gil1012972

         

Gil1012973

   

29 51.350

82 43.983

237MGD. In riverbed.

Gil1012971

         

Deer Spring

         

Twin Springs

         

Dogwood Spring

         

Ginnie Spring

         

Little Devil Spring

         

Devil’s Ear sp

   

29 50.100

82 41.800

76 MGD. Caves. In Ginnie springs park

Devil’s Eye sp

         

Blue Sp

         

Gil101971

         
           

Suwannee River Points of Interest

Marker 25

   

29 17.711

83 09.672

Gulf of Mexico navigation marker that is closest to mouth. Watch markers closely in mouth area. Shallow out several miles into Gulf. Once upstream of this marker, generally deep everywhere except as noted. Wide portion of West pass is very shallow.

East Pass

   

29 19.306

83 07.516

A secondary entrance for Suwannee. Deep inland until you hit open water, then marked channel is shallow, officially closed.

Town of Suwannee

 

12

29 19.4

83 08.546

Canal entrance to Millers – houseboats, ramp, gas, ice. Angler’s resort 352 542-7077).

Fowler Bluff

   

29 23.808

83 01.579

Small community w/ramp, gas, small store, cabins (Treasure Camp 352 493-2950).

Sand Bar, Jack’s

   

29 26.605

83 00.864

Jack’s Sand Bar on right 80%. Great sandy wading area.

Yellow Jacket

   

29 27.842

83 00.058

Private Campground. Gas, ice, ramp.

Houses

   

29 27.934

82 59.325

 

Manatee Springs

 

20.9

29 29.299

82 58.839

Huge spring head (109MGD), swimming area. Diving OK after check-in with ranger. State park w/camping, store, ice, phone. No ramp (anymore), spring run blocked. Manatees sometimes visit.

Boat Ramp

   

29 31.091

82 58.307

 

Sand Bar

   

29 32.854

82 58.059

 

Sand Bar

   

20 39.870

82 57.180

 

LTTLFANNIN

   

29 35.150

82 56.067

 

Fanning Springs, US19 bridge

   

29 35.354

82 56.259

State Park, no dogs, no alcohol. Admission fee INTO SPRING RUN! Downstream of fanning has biting deer flies in the woods. Manatees sometimes visit. Just downstream WAS a marina store, restaurant. Also check under US19 bridge for gas and supplies. Boat ramp across from springs – sharp drop off.

RR BRIDGE

   

29 36.503

82 58.265

Now a bike/walkway. Estimated 15’ clearance at low water.

Clay spr

   

29 36.693

82 58.317

Deep entrance from river, small heads up on land. Private property. Good boater’s overnight spot.

LITLCOPPER

   

29 37.933

82 58.033

 

Otter Springs

   

29 38.444

82 57.335

Private resort, now closed. 2 mile shallow run to spring heads, large swimming hole. Entrance has twin trees, very subtle.

Sand bar

   

29 39.858

82 57.179

 

IRONSP

   

29 40.417

82 57.450

 

Hart Springs

 

37.4

29 40.503

82 57.281

Large spring head, swimming hole. Hole blocked from diving. County park, campground, small store.

MCCRABBSP

   

29 41.100

82 57.617

 

Sun Springs

   

29 42.236

82 56.2

 

ROCKSINKSP

   

29 43.667

82 56.950

 

Sand bar

   

29 45.599

82 56.985

 

Sand bar

   

29 46.535

82 56.435

 

Guaranto spg

   

29 46.750

82 56.367

End of Rock Sink Ditch road. Small swim hole, empties via pipe into river. Public park.

Rock Bluff Ramp, store

       

Just downstream from bridge is a steep ramp with sharp dropoff, short walk to store w/gas.

Rock Bluff spgs

 

50.6

29 48.000

82 55.106

Big spring head surrounded by private property. Popular party spot. Entrance 200’ up from CR340 bridge. Also known as "goat ball" springs because there used to be goats on property with large…

RAMP2

   

29 48.007

82 55.667

 

RBpropN

   

29 47.990

82 55.529

 

Pothole Spring

   

29 48.639

82 56.103

 

Spring

   

29 49.067

82 55.846

 

SB KR

   

29 49.262

82 54.634

 

GIL84971

   

29 49.767

82 53.483

 

Sand Bar

   

29 50.361

82 53.471

 

Spring

   

29 50.81

82 53.37

 

Turtle Spgs

52

 

29 50.900

82 53.600

 

Spring

   

29 51.626

82 52.797

Surrounded by cinderblock wall. Small GIL917972

Santa Fe mouth

 

59.7

29 53.204

82 52.738

Santa Fe River splits off here. 1 mile up: 2 campgrounds. Second has gas on water.

BEACH1

   

29 52.969

82 52.993

Privately owned beach

RAMP

   

29 53.037

82 53.319

 

ROCK MID

   

29 53.432

82 53.435

At very low water

ROCKS RM

   

29 53.307

82 53.279

At very low water

BEACH

   

29 55.214

82 55.449

 

SUW COVE Resort

   

29 55.399

82 55.531

 

CAPT DONS

   

29 55.722

82 55.283

Just downstream of Branford. Open only on weekends.

Shallow, sand

   

29 56.627

82 55.422

 

Branford springs, Town

 

69.8

29 57.194

82 55.728

Medium. Swimming hole surrounded by platform. Public park, ramp, dive shop. Stores w/gas near by but no gas on river.

SHOAL

   

29 57.415

82 56.325

 

Sulfur Springs

   

29 57.562

82 57.144

Sulfur smell, rocky entrance. Small. Park upstream then walk down to spring. Private property.

Little River Spgs

 

73.5

29 59.722

82 57.936

Medium size spring, cave diving. Public area, access from road and river. No alcohol.

RUTHSP

   

29 59.733

82 58.617

 

Troy Springs

 

77.4

30 00.388

82 59.841

End of relatively safe navigation. Above this point are rocks!

80 deep hole, good for diving. Dive trips available from dive store in Branford. Civil war ship hull sunk at entrance – look for ribs on bottom. Watch out for metal spikes on hull.

Spring - Crack

   

30 00.686

83 00.25

Left side, small crack in bank.

SB3

   

30 00.638

83 00.191

 

Shallow

89

 

30 01.993

83 00.877

Shallow in middle (rock ledge), keep right

Mearson Spring

51

 

30 02.513

83 01.500

Nice spring. On left.

SHOAL LM

   

30 02.717

83 01.783

 

Island

   

30 02.782

83 02.064

Island on left. Deep on left of island. Somewhat shallow center and rt. Ramp 200’ upstream on left.

Rocks

50

 

30 03.100

83 02.312

Rocks on left 30%.

Island, Rocks

49

 

30 03.232

83 02.446

Rocks extend left from island 200’. Keep left, 30’ from shore. Extreme left 2.5’ deep. Right side rocky and shallow at upstream end..

Rocks

47

 

30 03.690

83 03.380

Rocks on left covering 80%. Keep right, 20’ from shore. 1/10 mi before Island.

Spring

   

30 04.850

83 04.169

 

ROCKS10 KL

   

30 04.876

83 04.786

 

ROYAL SP

   

30 04.978

83 04.493

 

ROCKS11 KR

   

30 04.966

83 05.182

 

Island

46

 

30 05.145

83 05.419

Island. Right side OK, left 2.5’ deep.

Convict Springs

37

 

30 05.108

83 05.622

Tiny spring, 20’ hole for dive checkouts. Nice private resort w/cabins, restaurant, dive shop, more (River Rendezvous 800 533-9667.

Rocks

94

 

30 05.467

83 06.350

Rocks in center upstream of island.

Rocks

44

 

30 05.979

83 06.772

First rocks on right 80% (not obvious, stay 20’ from left shore), then tree & rocks in middle w/rocks on right (stay 30’ from shore), then turret bridge500’ up (either side OK, but note 43)

Island, Rocks

45

 

30 05.663

83 06.843

Island – rocks at upstream end.

Rocks, turret bridge

43

 

30 06.239

83 06.956

Rocks on left 30%, 1000’ up from old non-working railroad turret bridge.

Rocks

42

 

30 05.847

83 08.209

Rocks on right 30%.

Rocks

41

 

30 06.236

83 08.725

Rocks on left 50%. Shallow on right 70%. Slow. Tree snag on right.

ROCKS13 KR

   

30 06.169

83 08.395

 

LAF924971

   

30 06.117

83 09.967

 

Rocks

40

 

30 05.841

83 10.870

Rocks – first on right 20’ from shore just before left bend (should be obvious), then on left 80% at bend (keep 20’ from shore, not obvious). Swift current.

Rocks

39

 

30 06.313

83 12.295

Rocks on left and right 30’ from shore. Stay in middle.

Lauraville

 

92.2

     

Blue Springs

 

97.1

   

Nice public park. Medium swim hole, next to river. Beach.

Dowling Park

 

107.3

   

Ramp at 250 bridge. Gas, store ˝ mi east.

Springhead creek

       

2 mi up from Dowling Park. Dark color, rocky, navigable with PWC.

Shallow

50

 

30 03.100

83 02.312

Shallow all the way across. Best at rt ˝

Spring

90

 

30 04.850

83 04.169

Spring run on rt, beautiful.

Royal Springs

91

 

30 04.978

83 04.493

Royal Spring run. Ramp 100’ downstream. Deep swimming hole. Park at end of 157th lane. 80’ wide. Must dive. No alcohol/litter rules apparently not enforced. .1 mi down from 46, 1.5 mi from convict springs.

Rocks

92

 

30 04.876

83 04.786

Small rocks in middle. left 3.5 from shore best. Rt unknown

Rocks

93

 

30 04.966

83 05.182

Rocks in middle, just below water.

.2 mi down from 46, small spring on rt, no name. 1/10 mi before island. Sign: "It’s not rude to swim in the nude." Houses nearby.

Rocks

94

 

30 05.489

83 06.341

Rocks in middle just under water

Ramp

95

 

30 05.531

83 06.689

Boat ramp 1/10 mi down from island

PERRY SP

   

30 05.767

83 11.283

 

Rocks, Spring

98

 

30 05.778

83 11.255

Small spring on left. Rocks on left 80%

Spring

96

 

30 06.473

83 06.950

On right, medium flow. Rocky. Flows out of several holes in a wall. Spring run .4 mi down from 46

ROCKS9 KM

   

30 06.313

83 12.295

 

Rocks

97

 

30 06.169

83 08.395

On left 50%

BLUE SP

   

30 07.310

83 13.320

 

THOMSSPRNG

   

30 08.732

83 13.827

 

Spring

99

 

30 09.424

83 14.059

Small spring on left

Charles Spring

100

 

30 10.023

83 13.877

On right. Nice swim hole. Access from road. Three holes, connected by small tunnels.

LAF929973

   

30 10.767

83 14.867

 

Spring

101

 

30 12.719

83 14.664

Small spring on right

Shallow

102

 

30 13.203

83 14.481

Shallow 80% on left then 80% on right.

Rock

103

 

30 22.752

83 11.428

Rock in middle. Right OK. 1/10mi upstream rock in middle 70% + 10% of each side. Left OK but must work around rocks.

Shoals!

104

 

30 22.758

83 11.201

"Little Shoals" are really big if you are trying to get past them in a boat, but small compared to "Big Shoals" upstream. PWC can make it on 30% right. May bump a few rocks. Under power lines (downstream set) between power plant intake and output.  During low water, this is a waterfall; during floods it's a ripple in the water.

Withlacoochee River, Spring

105

 

30 23.220

83 10.258

Small spring just up from mouth of Withlacoochee. Apparently accessible from road. Wall on spring.

Lime Spring Run

106

 

30 23.236

83 10.228

Walked 1 mi up spring run, never found spring head. Admission charge.

End of personal exploration, so far. All info below is from other sources.

Ellaville

 

131.5

   

Rte 90 just down from Lime Spring run.

Alapaha River

 

129.2

   

2 miles upstream is Alapaha Rise spring, 1 mile further is another spring named Holton (not the same as Holton on the Suwannee)

Holton Spring

       

Just below Alapaha on the Suwannee. Not the same as Holton on the Alapaha

Suwannee Springs

 

143.7

     

HAM923971

   

30 25.033

83 09.317

 

HAM923973

   

30 25.117

83 08.950

 

Alapaha Rise

   

30 26.250

83 05.367

Alapaha River emerges from ground

HAM1017974

   

30 25.033

82 58.250

 

SHALLOW5

   

30 24.500

82 57.000

 

HAM1023971

   

30 23.167

82 54.367

 

White Springs

 

162

30 19.767

82 45.667

 

COL522982

   

30 19.317

82 45.500

 

COL522981

   

30 19.233

82 45.367

 

Shallow

   

30 24.500

82 57.000

Unverified info source claims shallow area around here.

Shoals

   

30 21.200

82 52.000

Unverified info source claims shoals around here

Big Shoals

   

30 21.000

82 41.000

Lat/Lon not verified.  Visit Big Shoals park.

Fla/Ga border

   

30 36.000

82 41.000

 

Hwy 94

         

Spillway

       

4 miles downstream of Jones Island. Appears to be a spillway, no locks.  The only man-made water control structure on the river.

Jones Island

       

Inside Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Okefenokee Swamp)

Beginning

   

30 44.300

82 08.000

Starts as a canal off of a small road Westward from rte 121 between Folkston and St. George, Georgia. The boat landing is known as Camp Cornelia. Attempts to locate this camp have failed. Estimated location from Florida Gazateer