East River (Florida) facts for kids

The East River is a river located entirely within Wakulla County, Florida. It is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long. This river helps drain water from a part of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It then flows into the larger St. Marks River.

Exploring the East River

The East River is a great place to explore nature. A dam was built on the river within the wildlife refuge. This dam creates a large pool of water called the East River Pool. This pool covers about 245 acres (99 hectares).

You can find a boat ramp here. This makes it easy for people to launch canoes and small boats. The Florida Trail, a long hiking path, crosses over the dam. This allows hikers to enjoy the river's beauty.

Wildlife and Nature

The area around the East River is home to many animals. Near the mouth of the river, you can find many oyster bars. These are places where oysters grow in large groups. Oysters are important for the river's ecosystem. They help filter the water.

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge protects many types of wildlife. This includes birds, fish, and other creatures. The East River is a vital part of this natural habitat.

East River's Past

The East River has an interesting history, especially from the 1800s.

Salt Production

In the early 1800s, people set up "salt works" along the East River. These were places where salt was made by evaporating seawater. Salt was very important for preserving food back then. However, a strong tropical storm destroyed these salt works in June 1863.

Civil War Skirmish

Later, during the American Civil War, a small fight happened along the East River. This was between Union and Confederate soldiers. It took place from March 3 to March 5, 1865. The Union forces managed to capture the East River Bridge. This happened just before a bigger battle known as the Battle of Natural Bridge.

River Crossings

Here is a list of some important crossings over the East River. These show where roads and trails go over the river.

Crossing	Carries	Location	Coordinates
Headwaters			30°10′11″N 84°8′3″W / 30.16972°N 84.13417°W / 30.16972; -84.13417
East River Bridge	CR 59 Lighthouse Road		30°8′43″N 84°8′27″W / 30.14528°N 84.14083°W / 30.14528; -84.14083
	Florida Trail		30°7′37″N 84°8′59″W / 30.12694°N 84.14972°W / 30.12694; -84.14972
Mouth (St. Marks River)			30°05′19″N 84°10′44″W / 30.08861°N 84.17889°W / 30.08861; -84.17889