Turner River

[Swamp Hunter]

I tried to head north on the Turner River canoe trail Friday afternoon and found it very slow going.  The river on the northside of Tamiami Trail is completely overchoked with weeds. I think its Hydrilla.  Does anyone know anything about this? 

I couldnt get upstream where I wanted to go. I had no choice but to go south which was better but I noticed there didnt seem to be any current even though the water level was high. Was this because of the high tide and full moon?  Could the tide affect the river flow this far upstream?..

[Keith W]

The hydrilla in Turner River has been bad this year and getting worse as the water levels fall. I made it all the way to the upper Turner past the lake back in July but it was a struggle to get through the hydrilla. I have never noticed much of a current in the Turner north of the tidal zone, but I haven't paddled that way in a few years so my memory may not be very accurate.

[Esther Luft]

Went down the river on Nov. 6th. Water levels where ideal. The first two tunnels were very passable. The entrance to the third tunnel was the only overgrown spot on the trail. Beyond that short section, it was easy access all the way to the spring; it was flowing loudly and visibly. Paddled over to mud lake then to the ranger station. Beautiful day, beautiful weather, great paddle.

[Swamp Hunter]

Hello Esther. What do you mean by the spring? I wonder why there wasnt any current when I was there?

Did you try to go North. Im headed out that way Tuesday and I was wondering if it was passable (going north).

[Esther Luft]

Hi Dale,

We went South from 41. You are headed North from 41? Or from Chokoloskee? It is absolutely passable from a Chokoloskee coastal start. It did not look bad heading north from Tamiami Trail but we did not venture too far in.

There is a spring that runs into the river after the third tunnel. I've been told it's a spring. You can see and hear water running when the water level allows; too low and no flow. It was foaming out on the 6th, and loud. Look for it on the left as you exit, on the right as you approach from the river, Better yet, listen for it : ) if you go that way.

[Swamp Hunter]

I wanted to head north from 41. I was told when the tide is up like it was with a full moon, the flow will stop.

If I go south, I will look for the spring. Thanks.

Anyone know about the hydrilla situation?

[Swamp Hunter]

I tried to head north again from the Tamiami Trail on the Turner R. but its still not passible with all the Hydrilla. Going south is fine. I pulled the canoe over and took a walk into the cabbage/oak hammocks. Pretty area but very thick and muddy. Canoing further south, I branched off and found a beautiful wide open place to rest at the waters edge in a drying grassy marsh. I found much panther and deer sign. I sat against an oak tree in the cool shade and fell asleep for a few hours only to be awakened by an osprey and fish jumping...

[Gary M]

I too went looking for the spring - just yesterday. The upper Turner is still a beautiful paddle but there was no way I would suggest trying to go north from the Trail... totally choked with hydrilla.

I was really hoping to find that spring outflow (its a chemist thing)! My problem, I guess, stems from interpreting the phrase, "after the third tunnel". I found no location after any tunnel that would suggest an inflow of "spring" water - water temperatures and the salinity gradient were constant throughout the upper river.

FYI... the "pond" north of the Trail, just up from the Indian mound is (or was) fed by a small "spring". Thats why it always had water in it... even during drought conditions. I had hoped to compare that source to the "third tunnel" source.

By the way... be careful if you decide to branch off into the grass prairies... someone was running an airboat around on Sunday... and they came roaring right down one of the trails I had just abandoned!

[Swamp Hunter]

There are no designated trails that far up in the Big Cypress and the Zone 1 area is off limits to recreational airboaters, as far as I know, but it could have been a ranger or biologist working in the area. Thanks for the heads up warning. Even Zone 4, further south, in the Big Cypress, the airboaters cannot wander off the designated marked trails anymore. They are very restrictive now even with property owners in the BCNP and of course the ENP is off limits to anyone without special permission. BTW the Big Cypress portion of the Turner River is open to hunters during the seasons, even though I havent seen any. I heard there were Indian mounds to the north but I dont know exactly where they are. Are you referring to the high ridge on the right heading north?

I hope someone will clear out the weeds soon. Last year I observed ranger guided group tours in the area but I dont know when they start. I think it was December. I havent seen any groups this year. Its definitely a very bad year for weeds.

[Esther Luft]

I'm going to have to go back and get coordinates. I would love to see the results of some "scientific testing." Just as you exit the canopy covered portion of the third tunnel, in the mangroves to your left, listen for the water. It flows into the river. Ask more specific questions, maybe I can provide better markers. Will check my GPS in case I marked it during my last paddle. It's a possibility.

[vivian]

I've heard what I think are springs in several areas, Alligator Creek, upper reaches of the Rodgers River and the Cutoff. Are they springs or just a small change in elevation causing large amounts of water runoff? We wanted to taste one of these "springs" at Rodgers but there was an alligator hiding under the outflow. He did not want us there....

[Gary M]

Vivian,

A cheap and *safe* way to check is by getting a salinity tester from an aquarium store. Get one of the plastic box types with a floating pointer, don't get the floating "bobber" types - they are delicate and hard to use in the field.

There are more up-wellings from the aquifer than most people realize, but most are under cover or under water. The locations you mentioned are probably just run-offs, but ya never know...

There are some obvious ones near Chokoloskee, like on Sandfly Island, Daniels Point, and Fakahatchee Island. I do not recommend using them for drinking water - the one at Daniels Point actually has a DEP sign designating it as unsafe.

[Esther Luft]

Great tip! Do you all recall the springs that used to flow in South Miami? The have either dried up or been destroyed by development.