The Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers

The Aucilla and Wacissa rivers are two of Florida's most distinctive rivers. The Aucilla River is a blackwater stream that flows undefined through marshes and lakes and then past limestone outcroppings, disappearing in sinkholes and rising in springs downstream. At one point it drops rapidly over shoals, making it one of north Florida's most exciting and popular canoe runs. The Wacissa River is unusual in that it is both a spring-run and blackwater river. its first-magnitude group of headwater springs combine to form one of Florida's largest springs, with a flow of 360 cubic feet per second. A variety of vegetative communities lies within the rivers' corridors, providing excellent habitat for wildlife. Much of the land along both rivers is managed for silviculture production by large paper companies. Nearly all of the Wacissa River and most of the lower Aucilla River pass through private and public wildlife management areas or the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge The Aucilla and Wacissa rivers and their corridors are home to many fish, wildlife and plant species and provide excellent recreational opportunities. The river corridors are part of a Strategic Habitat Conservation Area identified by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission for the Florida black bear, American swallow-tailed kite and limpkin. Both rivers are protected by state designation as Outstanding Florida Waters. The Wacissa and lower Aucilla river corridors also offer excellent recreational opportunities as they connect or pass through important public conservation and recreation areas. Recreational activities in these river corridors include fishing, wildlife observation, hunting of deer, wild hog, turkey and small game, hiking and canoeing (both rivers are state designated canoe trails). The Florida Trail follows the Aucilla River for 10.7 miles below the State Highway 14 bridge. The portion of the hiking trail through the Aucilla Sinks area has been designated as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Growth and Development The greatest threats to the Aucilla and Wacissa rivers are lowering of water quality due to surrounding land uses, and fragmentation of wildlife habitat by residential development, highways and transmission lines. The greatest existing threat to the rivers' water is discharge from septic systems. Because the Aucilla River disappears underground at Aucilla Sinks, it is very important to protect the river's water quality so groundwater does not become polluted. Recommendations Protect the rivers' outstanding qualities by limiting residential development in adjacent uplands, encouraging silvicultural and agricultural operations to use best management practices, and acquiring the river floodplain corridor.   Monitor potential sources of water pollution (residential areas, silvicultural and agricultural operations, and highways) so degradation can be halted when found.   Finish acquiring the lands within the Wacissa and Aucilla Sinks CARL project to protect the rivers' outstanding wildlife habitat from becoming more fragmented.   Manage the recreational use of the rivers, especially Wacissa Springs, to prevent pollution and to protect the rare Horsts cave crayfish.   The four mile portion of the Aucilla River below U.S. 98 is a breeding area for bald eagles, Mississippi kites, osprey (shown here), red-cockaded woodpeckers, wood ducks, and shorebirds.