Class I Wekiva River, FL

The Wekiva River Basin is a complex ecological system of rivers, springs, seepage areas, lakes, streams, sinkholes, wetland prairies, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub communities. Water quality is exhibited in two ways. Several streams are clear due to being spring-fed. Others are blackwater; blackwater streams receive most of their flow from precipitation resulting in annual rainy season over-bank flows.

The Wekiva and its tributaries are in superb ecological condition. The basin is almost entirely within Florida State lands and supports many species of plant and animal life, some of which are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Elevations range from sea level to about 35 feet above sea level. The climate is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of around 72 degrees. Mean annual rainfall over the Wekiva basin is 52 inches, most of which occurs during the June-October rainy season.

The Wekiva River, Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run, and Black Water Creek serve as a major nature-based recreational resource for central Florida, particularly for the large Orlando metropolitan area. Recreation activities in the Wekiva Basin include canoeing/kayaking, bank fishing, boat fishing from motor and nonmotorized boats, personal watercraft use, picnicking, camping (primitive, developed, and horse), tubing, swimming, snorkeling, wildlife watching, hiking, horseback riding, and hunting. The Wekiva River/Rock Springs Run Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s statewide system of greenways and trails.

 

For More Information Visit:

Wekiva Wild and Scenic River - rivers.gov

Wekiva Guide (PDF) - Florida DEP