Ochlockonee River

River in Florida and Georgia, United States

The Ochlockonee River (/pron//oʊ/'/k//l//ɒ//k//n//ɪ/ oKLOKnee) is a fast running river, except where it has been dammed to form Lake Talquin in Florida, originating in Georgia and flowing for 206 mile (332 km) before terminating in Florida.

The name is from the Hitchiti language words for yellow river. The Ochlockonee originates south of the town of Sylvester in Worth County in southwest Georgia and empties into Ochlockonee Bay and then Apalachee Bay in Florida. The river forms the western boundaries of Leon County and Wakulla County and eastern boundaries of Gadsden County, Liberty County, and Franklin County in Florida. It flows through the Red Hills, the Jackson Bluff Dam, Talquin State Forest, Lake Talquin State Park and the Apalachicola National Forest, and past Ochlockonee River State Park, where it is tidally influenced and a mixture of fresh, brackish, and salt water, on the way to its terminus in Ochlockonee Bay, which then empties into Apalachee Bay, with tidal influences extending upstream over 15 mile (24 km) from the river's mouth.

When the Spanish arrived in northern Florida, the Ochlockonee River formed the western boundary of their Apalachee Province. Late 17th century Spanish documents refer to the river as Claraquachine and Amarillo (Spanish for "yellow"). A 1716 Spanish document called it Rio de Lagna (lagna is probably Apalachee for "yellow"). An English map from 1720 identifies it as the Yellow River. A 1778 map spells the river's name "Okalockney", while one from 1856 has it as "Oklokonee". The modern name probably derives from the Hitchiti/Mikasuki Oki (water) and Lagana (yellow). From 1839 to 1842, Fort Virginia Braden was established on the river located at Fort Braden in Florida. The fort was named after the commander's wife who died of yellow fever.

The Ochlockonee River saw action during the Civil War. On 15 July 1863, the screw steamer gunboat USS Stars and Stripes and wooden side wheel steam ferryboat USS Somerset attacked the salt works at Mashes Sands. On 29 December 1863, Stars and Stripes sank the blockade running schooner Caroline Gertrude, aground on the sandbar at the mouth of the Ochlockonee. Stars and Stripes also captured the blockade running steamer Laura off the Ochlockonee on 18 January 1864. On 19 and 20 October 1864, Stars and Stripes destroyed an extensive Confederate fishery at Mashes Island and captured the troops stationed there as guards.

In 1927 the Jackson Bluff Dam was constructed on the Ochlockonee River to produce hydroelectric power. The waters held back by the dam formed Lake Talquin.

The Ochlockonee River corridor is home to many threatened fish, wildlife and plant species. It has been designated under the State of Florida's Outstanding Florida Waters program and has been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a Strategic Habitat Conservation Area. Rare animals that can be found along the Ochlockonee include red cockaded woodpecker, least tern, and the Apalachicola dusky salamander. "The Florida maybell tree can be found only along the Ochlockonee and Chipola Rivers. The Ochlockonee is connected to and a source of water for Lake Iamonia, especially during flooding.

Fishing for largemouth bass, black crappie, Bream, striped bass and catfish can be excellent on the Ochlockonee River, and a state designated canoe trail can be found both upstream and downstream of Lake Talquin. Telogia Creek and the Little River near State Road 12 are also popular for canoeing. The Florida National Scenic Trail follows the river for two miles. The Ochlockonee is a vital link in the production of seafood in Apalachee Bay. During floods, the river transports organic matter downstream into the estuary of Ochlockonee Bay where the shallows of the bay were created by the great volume of sand and clay brought down by the river. This estuary serves as a nursery for numerous species of fish and shellfish which are the basis for recreational and commercial fishing as well as the seafood that this area is known for. Fishing on the Ochlockonee Bay is excellent for Flounder, Redfish, Black Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Blue Crab and sharks.

A number of major highways cross the Ochlockonee River along its course, including Interstate 10 and U. S. highways 19, 27, U. S. Route 84 and 319. Crossing Carries Image Location CoordinatesGeorgiaBrooks RoadBridgeboro Anderson RoadLiberty Hill RoadChildree RoadEvergreen RoadDoerunHagin Still RoadSwift Canteen RoadSigsbeeRail bridgeNorfolk Southern Railway Line formerly known as the Georgia Northern RailwayOld Doerun RdMoultrieMoultrieLower Meigs RoadMoultrieFred Webb RoadSmithwick BridgeSmithwick Bridge RoadRocky Ford BridgeZion Grove Church RoadBannister RoadBeeline Road RoadOld Confederate BridgeEgg Butter Road (Defunct)DawesvilleDawesvilleRail bridgeCSX Line formerly known as the South Georgia and Florida RailroadDawesvilleDawesvilleRail bridgeCSX Line formerly known as the Atlantic and Gulf RailroadCairoHadley Ferry BridgeCR 54Hadley Ferry RoadRocky HillOld Hadley Ferry Bridge(Defunct)FloridaFairbanks Ferry/Bridge CR 12ConcordTallahasseeTallahasseeRail bridgeCSX Line formerly known as the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railway. TallahasseeMidwayMidwayRail bridgeCSX Line formerly known as the Pensacola and Georgia RailroadMidwayTalquin DamBloxhamBloxhamForest Highway 13Porter LakeRail bridgeGeorgia, Florida and Alabama Railway (Defunct)McIntyreSopchoppyOchlockonee Bay Bridge (a/k/a Walker Bridge)Ochlockonee Bay