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Suwannee, FL

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Big Shoals Tract to U.S. 41 bridge (Big Shoals Run)

Class I-II(III)
4 Miles

Tim at Suwannee Shoals


Tim at Suwannee Shoals
Photo of Ted Jean taken December 2002 @ ~3000 cfs 51 ft

Gauge Information

low
51.88
10/8 3:00

Min Sug. Level:  55 feet Max Sug. Level:  68 feet

River Description

Runnable nearly year-round, Big Shoals is one of Florida's greatest natural wonders. At different levels Big Shoals has several play spots.

At low flows the run over Big Shoals is a double drop on river right. The first drop is about 4 feet into a diagonal curler. Keep your balance because the second ledge comes up quick and is about 5-6 feet with some exposed rock at the bottom. (This rock is limestone, looks like Swiss cheese, and is as sharp as coral. Be careful!)

At medium levels the middle and the left open up.

At high water, the double drop turns into one long tongue into a massive wave.

Thanks to Dan Webb for this description.

Since the river is flat above Big Shoals it is possible to run this section by putting in and taking out at the same spot. A nice trail on river left allows the rapid to be portaged and run several times. By Will Reeves

Jim M adds (2003-12-22 20:46:19):
It's really flat above Big Shoals. The rapid is 1 mile from the put-in. It is really easy to paddle back. If you are adventurous enough (or GPS equipped) it is possible to drive to the rapid on the river left side.

Put-in location: N 30 deg 21.241 min, W 82 deg 41.213 min
Big Shoals Rapid: N 30 deg 20.460 min, W 82 deg 40.920 min


StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2004-06-20 23:55:18

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 3

paddling the Suwanee Shoals at about ~51 ft, ~3000 cfs


paddling the Suwanee Shoals at about ~51 ft, ~3000 cfs  Suwanee Fl
(55.97KB .jpeg)

Tim at Suwannee Shoals


Tim at Suwannee Shoals  Suwanee Fl
(54.28KB .jpeg)

K. Barloga at Big Shoals, Suwannee River


K. Barloga at Big Shoals, Suwannee River  Suwannee River FL
(162.39KB .jpeg)

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Gauge

Gauge Description:

55' - Bony; few play spots. Boats will scrape at a few spots between Big Shoals and the US 41 Bridge.
57' - The true fun begins
62' - Optimal level. Strong, fast current.
68' - Washed out.

On occasion, USGS doesn't show readings at White Springs. Readings may be available from the Suwannee River Water Management District. However, these readings are updated less frequently.

SUWANNEE RIVER AT WHITE SPRINGS, FLA. [ FL ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
51.88 286 10/8 3:00

Station Graphs


Linked Reaches

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Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
FL Suwannee— Big Shoals Tract to U.S. 41 bridge I-II(III) 51.88 feet   low 10/8 3:00

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:5508
USGS Station:02315500
HUC:
Latitude:
Longitude:
Class:

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Rapid Descriptions

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Disclaimer Data Sources

USGS Page for This Station

NPS FL Rivers Inventory


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