Little River (Ochlockonee River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Gadsden |
| District | NWFWMD |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Attapulgus Creek and Willacoochee Creek Freemont, Florida 30°36′48″N 84°29′09″W / 30.61333°N 84.48583°W |
| River mouth | Lake Talquin Ebenezer, Florida 30°27′11″N 84°32′18″W / 30.45306°N 84.53833°W |
| Length | 14 mi (23 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 315 sq mi (820 km2) |
The Little River is a small river found in the Florida Big Bend area. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger one, which is called a tributary. The Little River is a tributary of the Ochlockonee River. It is about 14 miles (23 km) long and is entirely located within Gadsden County, Florida.
The river starts where two smaller streams, Attapulgus Creek and Willacoochee Creek, join together. This joining point is called a confluence. These creeks collect water from parts of southwestern Georgia. The Little River then flows south through Gadsden County, east of the town of Quincy. It collects water from the Red Hills Region before it enters Lake Talquin. Lake Talquin is a large lake created by a dam, also known as a reservoir, on the Ochlockonee River.
The Little River also flows through the Little River Conservation Area. This is a special protected area of about 2,119 acres (858 ha). The State of Florida bought this land to protect the homes of many animals and the forests that grow along the river. These forests are important because they help prevent floods.
Fun Activities and Amazing Wildlife
The Little River is a great place for outdoor adventures! Even though it's not an official canoe trail, many people enjoy canoeing here, especially on the lower part of the river. The forests around the river are also popular for hunting. If you like fishing, you can try to catch fish like bream and pickerel in the river.
Plants and Trees Along the River
You can find many different types of trees and plants growing along the riverbanks. Some common trees include Birch, pine, red cedar, and willows. These trees help keep the riverbanks strong and provide homes for animals.
Animals Living in and Around the River
The Little River is home to various creatures. You might spot colorful damselflies flying around. If you look closely in the water or on the banks, you might see snapping turtles. Many other types of wildlife also live in this area, making it a lively place to explore.
The Big Flood of 1969
In September 1969, a very strong weather system, called a tropical disturbance, moved inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Between September 20th and 23rd, it caused a lot of rain in Gadsden County. Some areas received more than 20 inches (510 mm) of rain! In Quincy, about 10.87 inches (276 mm) of rain fell in just six hours on September 21st.
This huge amount of rain caused the Little River to flood. On September 22nd, the river's flow was extremely high. Between 6 AM on September 21st and 6 AM on September 22nd, the river level rose by 21 feet (6.4 m)! The amount of water flowing in the river was almost three times more than what is expected in a "50-year flood." A 50-year flood is a flood that has a 1 in 50 chance of happening in any given year. At the US 90 bridge, the road was covered by six inches (152 mm) of water.
