Log in

Celebrating the Wekiva wild and scenic river system

Posted

From Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

According to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, “there are approximately 3.6 million miles of streams in the United States; 1.1 million are at least five miles in length. Only 12,709 miles are protected by the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.” Meanwhile, Florida has 25,949 miles of river. 49.2 miles are designated as wild and scenic which totals to 208 rivers in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 states, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish, and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes." (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968)

Bryan Nelson

The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act was established by Congress after it was recognized that our Nation’s rivers were in jeopardy due to damage from damming, development and diversion taking place in the 1950s. Rivers that may be designated are classified as wild, scenic or recreational. Wild Rivers are free of impoundments and inaccessible except by trail with unpolluted waters and primitive watersheds or shorelines. Scenic River areas are also free of impoundments with largely primitive shorelines or watersheds. Shorelines along Scenic Rivers are largely undeveloped and accessible by roads. Recreational River Ares are accessible by road or railroad with some development along their shorelines The Act offers protection against construction or dams that could harm the river and water quality.

Florida’s own Wekiva River reached designation in October of 2000. The river is a total of 41.6 miles and runs through Orange County, Seminole County, and Lake County. The Wekiva River Basin consists of various ecosystems including rivers, springs, sinkholes, wetland prairies, pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub communities, and so forth. Elevations can range to 35 ft. above sea level and the subtropical climate reaches an annual temperature of around 72 degrees. FIVE ORVS (Outstandingly Remarkable Values) were identified which are: scenic, recreation, wildlife and habitat, historic and cultural and water quality and quantity. The Wekiva River exhibits free flow characteristics which allow for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act designation. With a population of 2 million people in the tri-county area an increase in human actions, development, and continued population growth called for these protections. National Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems are celebrating 50 years of protecting our rivers. 2018 will mark the 50th year anniversary! WSR50 will include both government and non-governmental river partners.

This will include representatives from American Rivers, American Whitewater, River Management Society, National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and more. Current development along the Wekiva River is the Wekiva Parkway which adheres to the protection of the Wekiva River system through the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act developed in 2007 by Orange County. About 130 square miles of watershed run through North Orange County. At Kelly Park here in Orange County, Rock Springs Run flows to the Wekiva River. The free flowing spring is 68 degrees year round. Kelly Park/ Rock Springs are located at 400 E Kelly Park RD Apopka, FL 32712. As Orange County Commissioner I serve on the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Wekiva River Basin Commission.

For the summer season on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, we will host a Rock Springs River Clean Up. More details are soon to follow this article. You may contact my office at 407-836-5850 for more details.

Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson, Wekiva River

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here