East River (Florida) Explained

The East River is a 10miles^[1] river entirely within Wakulla County, Florida, draining part of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge into the St. Marks River.

A dam within the refuge, crossed by the Florida Trail, creates the 245acres^[2] impoundment known as the East River Pool, with a boat ramp allowing access by canoes and small boats. Oyster bars are abundant around the mouth of the river.^[3]

During the early 19th century, salt works were established along the East River, and were destroyed by a tropical storm in June 1863.^[4] Later during the American Civil War, a small skirmish was fought between Union and Confederate troops along the East River on March 3–5, 1865, resulting in the capture of the East River Bridge by Union forces prior to the Battle of Natural Bridge.

List of crossings

Crossing	Carries	Image	Location	Coordinates
Headwaters				30.1697°N -84.1342°W
East River Bridge	CR 59 Lighthouse Road			30.1453°N -84.1408°W
	Florida Trail			30.1269°N -84.1497°W
Mouth (St. Marks River)				30.0886°N -84.1789°W

References

• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge History
• Florida during the Civil War

Notes and References

1. U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 18, 2011
2. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, January 2006
3. Williams, Leslee A., Peter W. Mason and Joseph M. Faircloth. An assessment of water quality in coastal Wakulla County, Florida, based on total and fecal coliform bacteria July 1 1980-February 1 1981, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Biological Section, Bureau of Water Analysis, March 1981
4. Howard, Frank. Wakulla County, Florida: Some Civil War Action, 1993