Little River (Ochlockonee River tributary)

The Little River is a minor river in the Florida Big Bend. A tributary of the Ochlockonee River, it is approximately 14 miles (23 km) in length[1] and is located entirely within Gadsden County.

Little River
Location
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyGadsden
DistrictNWFWMD
Physical characteristics
SourceConfluence of Attapulgus Creek and Willacoochee Creek
 • locationFreemont, Florida
 • coordinates30°36′48″N 84°29′09″W
MouthLake Talquin
 • location
Ebenezer, Florida
 • coordinates
30°27′11″N 84°32′18″W
Length14 mi (23 km)
Basin size315 sq mi (820 km2)

Forming at the confluence of Attapulgus Creek and Willacoochee Creek which drain part of southwestern Georgia, the river flows south through Gadsden County east of Quincy, draining part of the Red Hills before entering Lake Talquin State Park before reaching its terminus, flowing into Lake Talquin, a reservoir on the Ochlockonee River.

The river flows through Little River Conservation Area, a 2,119-acre (858 ha) tract purchased by the State of Florida using Florida Forever funds for the protection of wildlife habitat and floodplain forest along the middle river.[2]

Recreation and Wildlife

The Little River, although not a designated canoe trail, is often used by canoeists, especially on the lower river. The forests surrounding the river are also popular for hunting, while bream and pickerel provide fishing opportunities.[1]

Birch, pine, red cedar and willows can be found lining the riverbanks, while damselflies, snapping turtles and other wildlife are also present.[1]

1969 Flood

A tropical disturbance that moved inland from the Gulf of Mexico on 20 September 1969 produced heavy rainfalls, exceeding 20 inches (510 mm), over part of Gadsden County between the 20th and 23rd of that month, including 10.87 inches (276 mm) at Quincy during six hours on 21 September.[3] On the Little River near Quincy, peak discharge on 22 September was 45,600 cu ft/s (1,290 m3/s).[3] Between 6 a.m. 21 September and 6 a.m. 22 September, the river level rose 21 feet (6.4 m), with the river's discharge exceeding that of a 50-year flood by a factor of 2.99, while at the US 90 bridge the westbound lanes were submerged under six inches (152 mm) of water.[3]

List of crossings
Crossing Carries Image Location Coordinates
Headwaters 30°36′48″N 84°29′09″W
500089[4] SR 12
Havana Highway		 Littman 30°35′15″N 84°29′47″W
500018
500063		 US 90
Blue Star Highway		 Quincy 30°33′13″N 84°30′52″W
500097
500098		 Interstate 10 30°31′44″N 84°31′00″W
rail bridge CSX Transportation 30°31′38″N 84°31′02″W
500045 CR 268
High Bridge Road		 30°30′44″N 84°31′24″W
Mouth at Ochlockonee River 30°27′11″N 84°32′18″W

References
  1. Boning, Charles R. 2007. Florida's Rivers. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. ISBN 978-1-56164-400-1
  2. Little River Conservation Area Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Bridges, W.C.; D.R. Davis (1972). "FLOOD OF SEPTEMBER 20–23, 1969 IN THE GADSDEN COUNTY AREA, FLORIDA" (PDF). Tallahassee, Florida: United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Natural Resources Division of Interior Resources, Bureau of Geology. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  4. FDOT Florida Bridge Data 01-05-2010 Archived 16 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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