On Sunday, May 12th, a group of explorers ventured out of Melrose Bay and into the rookery along the edge of Lake Santa Fe. We saw several large nests, side-by-side: a Blue Heron, an Ibis and an Osprey. We then paddled through a short canal into Black Black Lake Preserve which was purchased in 2020 through the Alachua County Forever Program.
The Santa Fe River begins its journey from Lake Santa Fe. Lake Santa Fe off of Melrose Bay feeds into Little Lake Santa Fe and into the Santa Fe Swamp, the flow that becomes the Santa Fe River. This trickle was modified in 2011 when the 6,500 acre swamp burned down. The debris that resulted has blocked the flow and the run-off from the lake, though still flowing through the swamp, waters found the path of least resistance being Lake Alto, Lake Alto Swamp and into the Santa Fe.
Our next paddle adventure is the Spring Hop Paddle scheduled for June 6 with Lars Andersen.
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
