Hillsborough River (Florida) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hillsborough River
Hillsborough River watershed
Country	United States
State	Florida
Counties	Pasco, Hillsborough
District	SWFWMD
Cities	Temple Terrace, Tampa
Physical characteristics
Main source	Green Swamp Branchborough, Florida 28°16′28″N 82°05′38″W / 28.27444°N 82.09389°W / 28.27444; -82.09389
River mouth	Hillsborough Bay Tampa, Florida 27°56′16″N 82°27′43″W / 27.93778°N 82.46194°W / 27.93778; -82.46194
Length	60 mi (97 km)
Basin features
Basin size	740 sq mi (1,900 km2)
Tributaries	Left: Blackwater Creek, Flint Creek Right: New River

The Hillsborough River is a river in Florida, United States. It starts in the Green Swamp. This is where Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk counties meet. The river flows for about 60 miles (97 km) through Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. It ends in Tampa at Tampa Bay.

The river has four nature trails. These trails are over 7 miles (11 km) long. They are great for hikers. The name Hillsborough River first appeared on a British map in 1769. It was named after the Earl of Hillsborough. He was a British government official at that time.

History of the Hillsborough River

Scientists believe the Hillsborough River has been flowing for about 27,000 years. Humans likely first came to this area 12,000 to 15,000 years ago.

In the late 1700s, the land around the Hillsborough River was a thick, old forest. It had huge bald cypress and longleaf pine trees. Some of these trees were hundreds or even thousands of years old. From the mid-1800s to about 1913, people started cutting down these trees. Most trees in the river area are now less than 100 years old.

Cutting down the old trees changed the forest. New trees like water ash grew quickly in the sunny spots. The river swamp forest today looks very different from how it did thousands of years ago.

When Europeans first arrived in Florida, the Safety Harbor culture lived around Tampa Bay. Two groups, the Mocoso and Pohoy, lived near where the Hillsborough River meets Tampa Bay. Hernando de Soto landed nearby in 1539. He traveled through Mocoso on his way north. By the early 1700s, diseases and slavery had almost wiped out the Safety Harbor people.

Important Dates for the Hillsborough River

• 1757: A Spanish explorer named Don Francisco Maria Celi explored the river. He went up to the Temple Terrace area. He was looking for longleaf pine trees for ship masts. He named the pine forest "The Pines of the Cross of Saint Teresa." A plaque at Riverhills Park remembers his trip.
• 1772: A map sent to the Earl of Hillsborough showed the river named as the Hillsborough. Around this time, Native Americans from the north, mostly Creek people, moved to Florida. They became known as Seminoles.
• 1821: Florida became a United States territory.
• 1824: Construction of Fort Brooke began at the mouth of the Hillsborough River.
• 1828: The Fort King Military Road was built. It connected Fort King in Ocala to Fort Brooke in Tampa. A bridge was built over the Hillsborough River.
• 1830: The U.S. government passed the Indian Removal Act. They started trying to move the Seminole people from Tampa Bay to a reservation west of the Mississippi River. This caused tension.
• 1835: Seminoles burned the bridge at the Fort King Road crossing. Conflicts continued.
• 1836: Fort Foster was built at the river crossing. This protected an important spot.
• 1842: The Armed Occupation Act offered land to men who would build a house and farm for five years.
• 1843: The Jean Street Shipyard started on the Hillsborough River.
• 1846: The first ferry crossing on the river began. This helped Tampa grow on both sides of the river.
• 1861: During the American Civil War, federal troops blocked Tampa Bay. This stopped goods from moving in and out of Tampa.
• 1863: Federal troops went upriver near Lowry Park Zoo. They found and burned ships carrying cotton. This was the only Civil War fight on the Hillsborough River.
• 1891: The Tampa Bay Hotel, now the Henry B. Plant Museum, opened.
• 1897: An electrical dam was built on the river. It cost $150,000.
• 1898: On December 13, the dam was blown up by cattle owners. They were angry about losing grazing land. You can still see parts of the old dam when the water is low.
• 1898–99: TECO bought the electric company and built a new dam.
• 1899: Tampa's first water plant was built. It supplied water to the city.
• 1900: The Sulphur Springs property was developed and opened to the public.
• 1910: Hillsborough Bay was deepened for ships. The Hillsborough River area was heavily logged until 1913.
• 1911–1914: Bertha Potter Palmer bought a huge area of land along the river. She called it "Riverhills Ranch." It was a private hunting preserve.
• 1922: The Temple Terrace Golf and County Club opened.
• 1923: The city of Tampa built a water treatment plant. It used water from above the dam.
• 1933: A huge rainstorm washed away the Tampa Electric dam. TECO did not rebuild it.
• 1935: Hillsborough River State Park opened.
• 1944: The city of Tampa finished building the current dam. It holds drinking water for the city.
• 1961: The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) was created.
• 1960s-70s: The 14-mile (23 km) long Tampa Bypass Canal was built. It helps control floods.
• 1979: Swimming was stopped at Hillsborough River State Park. A swimming pool was built instead.
• 1982: Lettuce Lake Park opened on the river.
• 1988: The yearly Hillsborough River Cleanup began.
• 1991: Canoe Escape opened. Its owners helped people learn about the river.
• 1995: The Hillsborough River was named an Outstanding Florida Water. This means it is a special, protected waterway.
• 1995: The river was also named a Florida Recreational Canoe Trail.
• 1999: "Friends of the River" was formed. This group worked to protect the river's water flow.
• 2007: A plan was adopted to increase the river's water flow. This helps keep the river healthy.

The Hillsborough River Today

The Hillsborough River is home to many animals. Many large bird nesting areas are found here. Sixth-grade students in Hillsborough County visit the river. They learn about its ecosystem, watershed, and native Florida animals. This happens at a place called 'Nature's Classroom'.

The Hillsborough River dam creates a large lake. This lake covers 1,300 acres (5 km²) and holds 1.6 billion US gallons (6,100,000 m³) of water. This water supplies the City of Tampa. The city is allowed to take water from the river above the dam. This water is used for its citizens.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District protects and manages Florida's waters. They make sure the river has enough water. They also work to keep the middle and upper parts of the river clean and natural.

The river above the dam flows through the Temple Crest neighborhood. Above the 56th Street bridge, it flows through Temple Terrace. This is a very beautiful part of the river. The city cleans its part of the river twice a year.

Hillsborough River State Park

Hillsborough River State Park covers 2,990 acres (12 km²) along the river. It is in northeastern Hillsborough County. The park protects many Florida environments. These include swamps and oak forests. It also protects many endangered species. The park's goal is to keep "the real Florida" safe.

Visitors can picnic, camp, canoe, hike, fish, and swim in a pool. There is also a special spot to see the river's Class II rapids. This is one of the only rivers in Florida with rapids. The park opened in 1935. This makes it one of Florida's oldest state parks.

The Middle River: Tampa's Water Source

The middle river is the part of the river north of the dam. It is the main source of water for the City of Tampa. This section extends from the dam back to Fletcher Avenue. The Hillsborough River starts in the Green Swamp and flows into Tampa Bay.

In Tampa's early days, people got water from wells and tanks. Tampa's first water plant opened in 1899. It pumped well water for the city. In 1923, the city bought the water plant. The middle river has been Tampa's official water source since 1944.

But the middle river is more than just a water source. It is a rich and diverse ecosystem. Orange Lake, in the Temple Crest neighborhood, is a bird sanctuary. It is also a living wetland. Upstream, near Temple Terrace's Riverhills Park, you can see old Florida. Cypress trees stand tall in the watery landscape.

Fun Activities on the Hillsborough River

Florida has marked a 34.5-mile (55.5 km) canoe trail on the river. It starts at Hillsborough River State Park. It ends at Rowlett Park in Tampa. Many parks are located along the Hillsborough River. These include Morris Bridge Park, Trout Creek Wilderness Park, Lettuce Lake Park, Riverfront Park, Riverhills Park, Angel of Hope Park, Rogers Park, and Rivercrest Park.

River Crossings

Crossing	Carries	Image	Location	Coordinates
Headwaters				28°16′28″N 82°05′38″W / 28.27444°N 82.09389°W / 28.27444; -82.09389
140024	US 98		Branchborough	28°16′18″N 82°05′53″W / 28.27167°N 82.09806°W / 28.27167; -82.09806
140009	CR 54			28°15′33″N 82°06′18″W / 28.25917°N 82.10500°W / 28.25917; -82.10500
CSX Rail Bridge	Vitis Subdivision			28°14′09″N 82°06′59″W / 28.23583°N 82.11639°W / 28.23583; -82.11639
CSX Rail Bridge	Yeoman Subdivision			28°11′45″N 82°09′39″W / 28.19583°N 82.16083°W / 28.19583; -82.16083
140007	SR 39 Buchman Highway		Corvilla	28°11′35″N 82°09′54″W / 28.19306°N 82.16500°W / 28.19306; -82.16500
144002	Crystal Springs Road		Crystal Springs	28°11′09″N 82°11′03″W / 28.18583°N 82.18417°W / 28.18583; -82.18417
Where Blackwater Creek joins			Thonotosassa	28°09′03″N 82°12′56″W / 28.15083°N 82.21556°W / 28.15083; -82.21556
Former ACL Railroad Bridge	Tampa and Thonotosassa Railroad		Fort Foster
100434	US 301			28°09′00″N 82°13′16″W / 28.15000°N 82.22111°W / 28.15000; -82.22111
Where New River joins			Hillsborough River State Park
Where Flint Creek joins				28°04′58″N 82°17′07″W / 28.08278°N 82.28528°W / 28.08278; -82.28528
Morris Bridge 100026	CR 579 Morris Bridge Road		Pine Ridge Estates	28°05′55″N 82°18′41″W / 28.09861°N 82.31139°W / 28.09861; -82.31139
Water control structure	Hillsborough River SP Main Trail		Temple Terrace	28°05′18″N 82°21′06″W / 28.08833°N 82.35167°W / 28.08833; -82.35167
100387/100388	Interstate 75			28°05′14″N 82°21′14″W / 28.08722°N 82.35389°W / 28.08722; -82.35389
100276	CR 582A Fletcher Avenue			28°04′09″N 82°22′38″W / 28.06917°N 82.37722°W / 28.06917; -82.37722
100084/100402	SR 582 Fowler Avenue			28°03′15″N 82°21′51″W / 28.05417°N 82.36417°W / 28.05417; -82.36417
104143/104144	SR 580 Temple Terrace Highway/Bullard Parkway			28°01′57″N 82°22′54″W / 28.03250°N 82.38167°W / 28.03250; -82.38167
Tampa Bypass Canal				28°01′05″N 82°22′32″W / 28.01806°N 82.37556°W / 28.01806; -82.37556
56th Street Bridge 100267/100268	SR 583 N 56th Street			28°01′28″N 82°23′36″W / 28.02444°N 82.39333°W / 28.02444; -82.39333
40th Street Bridge 104504	CR 585A N 40th Street		Del Rio	28°00′34″N 82°24′53″W / 28.00944°N 82.41472°W / 28.00944; -82.41472
Hillsborough River Dam			Tampa	28°01′27″N 82°25′42″W / 28.02417°N 82.42833°W / 28.02417; -82.42833
Rowlett Park Drive Bridge 100086	Rowlett Park Drive			28°01′19″N 82°26′06″W / 28.02194°N 82.43500°W / 28.02194; -82.43500
CSX Rail Bridge	Clearwater Subdivision			28°01′19″N 82°26′07″W / 28.02194°N 82.43528°W / 28.02194; -82.43528
Former Van Dyke Street Bridge	Van Dyke Street (now North and South Van Dyke Place)
Nebraska Avenue Bridge 100001	US 41 Nebraska Avenue			28°01′12″N 82°27′04″W / 28.02000°N 82.45111°W / 28.02000; -82.45111
100217/100218	Interstate 275			28°01′13″N 82°27′19″W / 28.02028°N 82.45528°W / 28.02028; -82.45528
James N. Holmes Bridge 100069	Business US 41 Florida Avenue			28°01′16″N 82°27′34″W / 28.02111°N 82.45944°W / 28.02111; -82.45944
Sumter L. Lowry Bridge 105602	Sligh Avenue			28°00′38″N 82°27′54″W / 28.01056°N 82.46500°W / 28.01056; -82.46500
Hillsborough River Bridge (drawbridges) 100618/100920	US 92 Hillsborough Avenue			27°59′46″N 82°27′56″W / 27.99611°N 82.46556°W / 27.99611; -82.46556
Paul H. Smith Bridge 100500	SR 574 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard			27°58′53″N 82°28′32″W / 27.98139°N 82.47556°W / 27.98139; -82.47556
Columbus Drive Swing Span 105504	Columbus Drive			27°58′00″N 82°28′30″W / 27.96667°N 82.47500°W / 27.96667; -82.47500
Eugene Holtsinger Bridge 105600	North Boulevard			27°57′37″N 82°28′05″W / 27.96028°N 82.46806°W / 27.96028; -82.46806
100135/100136	Interstate 275			27°57′23″N 82°27′52″W / 27.95639°N 82.46444°W / 27.95639; -82.46444
Fortune Street Bridge (drawbridge) 105503	Laurel Street			27°57′16″N 82°27′54″W / 27.95444°N 82.46500°W / 27.95444; -82.46500
Cass Street Drawbridge 105502	Cass Street			27°57′01″N 82°27′54″W / 27.95028°N 82.46500°W / 27.95028; -82.46500
CSX Rail Bridge	Tampa Terminal Subdivision (Port Tampa Spur)			27°57′00″N 82°27′54″W / 27.95000°N 82.46500°W / 27.95000; -82.46500
Kennedy Drawbridge 100100	SR 60 Kennedy Boulevard			27°56′48″N 82°27′40″W / 27.94667°N 82.46111°W / 27.94667; -82.46111
Brorein Street Drawbridge 105501	Brorein Street			27°56′36″N 82°27′32″W / 27.94333°N 82.45889°W / 27.94333; -82.45889
Crosstown Viaduct 100332/100333	SR 618 Lee Roy Selmon Expressway			27°56′35″N 82°27′32″W / 27.94306°N 82.45889°W / 27.94306; -82.45889
Platt Street Drawbridge 105550	Platt Street			27°56′30″N 82°27′30″W / 27.94167°N 82.45833°W / 27.94167; -82.45833
Where Seddon Channel and Garrison Channel join				27°56′26″N 82°27′30″W / 27.94056°N 82.45833°W / 27.94056; -82.45833
Plant Street Bridge 105606	Davis Boulevard Plant Avenue			27°56′17″N 82°27′42″W / 27.93806°N 82.46167°W / 27.93806; -82.46167
Hyde Park Avenue Bridge 105625	Davis Boulevard Hyde Park Avenue			27°56′13.8″N 82°27′44.2″W / 27.937167°N 82.462278°W / 27.937167; -82.462278
Mouth				27°56′16″N 82°27′43″W / 27.93778°N 82.46194°W / 27.93778; -82.46194

Images for kids

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  Survey of the middle Hillsborough River in 1843

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  The original dam under construction in 1897

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  Postcard view of the Hillsborough River in 1910

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  Seminole War reenactors at Hillsborough River State Park

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  Paddling on the Hillsborough River

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  An Alligator snoozing in the sun

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  Paddling the Hillsborough River