Ever wonder where the Withlacoochee River got its name? The word Withlacoochee emanated from Florida’s Indigenous American race, the Creek. It signifies Little Big Water.
This is deeper terms translates the fact that the water levels are affected by insufficiency and overflow that leads to the rise or drop of the water severally in its history. The other meaning is the crooked river.
This expresses the meanders and the turns that it fabricates on its en route advancing to the Gulf of Mexico. Rivers naturally flow down the hill despite the direction.
It is a popular misinterpretation that the intensity of the earth makes many rivers flow to the south.
While most of the rivers do so, countless of them flow in opposite directions as well. Like most rivers, the Withlacoochee River flows from a section of high elevation which is the Green Swamp to an area of lower elevation which is the Gulf of Mexico.
The Withlacoochee River runs from south to north which is a very rare phenomenon as dictated by the law of gravity. The green swamp is identified by forested wetlands, isolated cypress domes, pine woods, and sandy uplands.
The Withlacoochee River is natural and stunning. It is number four in size in Florida. It is one of the most attractive rivers in Florida though The Withlacoochee River is uncommercialized and unharmed.
The Withlacoochee River Alligators
Florida is sometimes known as the city of alligators. This is due to the alligators that are in The Withlacoochee River. An alligator is a dangerous creature that found its habitat with the most fascinating river in the world. They are all over the river and you can hold and take a photo with a live alligator.
Whenever you are exploring the green swamp wilderness preserve along the river where many alligators love to live. It is enjoyable to see them out there in the wilderness.
It is advised never to disturb or try to feed them. Just observe them from far and be respectful and cautious of their peaceful dwelling place.
Although they are dangerous, humans are not mostly their prey. They fear humans. Besides, feeding them makes them recede the natural fear of humans.
This is because they associate humans with food and an angry alligator will attack a human being especially infants as prey. You cannot keep them as a pet in your home.
The two Rivers of Withlacoochee River in Florida
There exist two rivers in The Withlacoochee River in Florida. One of the rivers trickles from Georgia and connects the Suwannee River close by Madison.
The other big tributary trickles from the Green Swamp in Central Florida and discharges into the Gulf of Mexico at Yankeetown in Levy County.
The Withlacoochee River is mostly separated by the flow intensity of flooding and geography. During severe flooding, you will be confused about the mention of the Withlacoochee River.
One of The Withlacoochee River begins at the Green Swamp across the Polk-Lake border in Central Florida. if for example there is drought in the area, the river will not flow.
The other Withlacoochee River is in Madison County at the Eastern of Tallahassee. If there is flooding in this county, then the river will record high levels of flowing. The two Withlacoochee Rivers in Florida have different flow directions. One flows from Georgia and intersects the Suwannee River close by Madison.
The other river, which is a bigger stream, flows from the Green Swamp in Central Florida and empties into the Gulf of Mexico at Yankeetown in Levy County. Flooding and drought near the river are natural calamities and flows from the Green Swamp again and again and the changes depend on the changing patterns and the seasons of the rainfall.
Therefore, the changing tides control the levels of the waters in the river. The common changes in the river at times restrain boat sailing or affect properties near the river.
The Withlacoochee River Tributary
The Withlacoochee River starts in the cypress head and forested marsh of the Green Swamp, at the east of Polk City.
It flows towards the west, then north, and then northwest before it disperses into the Gulf of Mexico close to Yankeetown.
The Green Swamp is a region of natural and streamflow significance due to its capacity to store groundwater and slow tide waters at the same time.
This is while maintaining the flow to several rivers and streams. The Withlacoochee River is distinctive since its waters flow northward. This black river twists 160 miles before ejecting to the Gulf of Mexico
The springs that feed the Withlacoochee River
Madison Blue is of primary importance and is situated on the west side of The Withlacoochee River 12 miles up-dip from its waters where it meets with the Suwannee River.
In the top Withlacoochee River, the stream is predominantly reliant on exterior water inputs, at the same time farther seawards the river is progressively sustained by groundwater.
Madison Blue Spring is the common origin of base water in the downside of the Withlacoochee River.
Fish Fishing in Withlacoochee River
Fishing in the Withlacoochee River is good as there are various species of fish found in this river. Mostly, fishing is done by canoe.
One of the most enjoyable things to fish in the river is when you see the energy with which the fish fights. The predator fish commonly uses the eddies at the back of the rock ledges and independent stones as an attack point to their prey.
The river has so many crayfish.
Fishing in the Withlacoochee River has lucid clear water in some areas that forms some stunning sight fishing. The most functional and well-liked alternative of bait when doing fishing in the Withlacoochee River is Large Wild Shiners. Some of the common fish that can be found in the river are the Bluegill, redbreast, and spotted sunfish.
The Redbreast and spotted sunfish are amusing riverine breeds to pick out. Fish at the exterior bends of the river where the waterway has formed a wall on the riversides is good too.
