Crooked River (Florida) facts for kids
The Crooked River is a special waterway in Franklin County, Florida. It connects the tidal waters of the Ochlockonee River to other rivers like the Carrabelle River and the New River. These rivers meet near the town of Carrabelle, Florida.
The Crooked River channel is about 41 kilometers (or 25 miles) long. However, the two ends of the river are only about 24 kilometers (or 15 miles) apart. Sometimes, people describe the Crooked River as a main branch of the Ochlockonee River. Other times, it's seen as a tidal channel that links the Carrabelle River with the Ochlockonee River. It also helps separate St. James Island from the mainland.
Protecting the Crooked River
In 2003, Florida decided to buy a large area of marshland along the Crooked River. They bought 13,000 acres of land from a company called St. Joe Company for $14.5 million.
This land was purchased to help protect the natural home of the Florida black bear. The protected land was then added to Tate’s Hell State Forest, which is a large area of protected wilderness. This helps keep the environment healthy for many animals and plants.
