Chassahowitzka River

The Chassahowitzka River is a spring-fed river located in southwestern Citrus County, Florida. The 5-mile-long (8 km)[1] river is home to hundreds of species of birds including the bald eagle, and is a common refuge for the West Indian manatee. In 1941, approximately 31,000 acres (13,000 ha) of its saltwater creeks, freshwater tributaries, and hardwood hammocks were recognized as Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. It is accessible by boat from a nearby public boat ramp that is located at the campground that also bears its Indian name which means "land of hanging pumpkins;" a reference to a wild variety that once grew along the banks.

Sunset in a brackish estuary

The headwater of the river is Chassahowitzka Spring, a first magnitude spring which is visible from the campground dock.[2] A group of smaller sister springs are located in a creek just up from the main vent. Several of these sister springs are connected via underwater caves that snorkelers can dive through while holding their breath. Great care must be taken when diving through these caves, there have been at least 4 drownings in the underwater tunnels and caves since 1989, the most recent being in 2011. Similar freshwater tributaries feed into the Chassahowitzka River further downstream, some of which mix with salt water as the river weaves its way toward the Gulf, creating brackish creeks and bays where it is quite common to catch fish species such as spotted seatrout, redfish, or common snook to name just a few. Other staples of the river include striped mullet, which can be seen in schools through the clear water or at times leaping out of the water, and the blue crab which is often netted or trapped by local fishermen. It is very common to see several species of herons and egrets, including the great blue heron and the occasional large alligator, although they are often seen some distance from springs and boats. The river is well known for its navigational hazards, mainly due to large rocks hidden from the sight of fast moving motorboats that venture outside the narrow channel.

There are cabins dotted along the outer portion of the river just before "Buzzard Bay," that are privately owned. Dog Island is a recreation area with a restroom and dock located off the main channel just before John's Island and the Gulf.

  • A friendly grackle, on the way to Buzzard Bay
  • Dog Island Recreational Area
  • A view from Tom's Cabin showing a neighboring cabin
  • Sunfish and pilchards inhabiting Beard Creek, a location now well known to weekend canoers, but at one time was less traveled
  • A striped mullet caught by cast netting on the river
  • Manatee speed zones run from the mouth of Buzzard Bay until John's Island during the summer
  • Local boys being pulled behind a well boat near "Baldies"
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References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-04-05 at WebCite, accessed April 18, 2011
  2. Chassahowitzka River Southwest Florida Water Management District. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.

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