Ochlockonee River
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The Ochlockonee River is a fast running river originating in Georgia, and terminating in Florida.
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[edit] Location
The Ochlockonee originates south of the town of Sylvester in Worth County in southwest Georgia emptying into Ochlockonee Bay, near Apalachicola Bay, in Florida. In Florida, the river forms the western boundaries of Leon County and Wakulla County and eastern boundaries of Gadsden County, Liberty County, and Franklin County.
[edit] History
Old Spanish documents sometimes refer to the Ochlockonee River as the Rio Agna and in other instances as the Rio de Lagna. A map dated 1683 shows that it is referred to as the Rio Lana. English maps of the 18th century show the name as Ogeelaganu and Ochloconee. In this name the river probably retains at least the flavor of its Hitchiti language name. Variations of this continued into the 1800s with names like Ockatockany 1855 and O-clock-ney 1822. Both the names Lagna and Lana may be Spanish renditions of the Muskogean word LAH'nee for yellow. The rich yellows and reds of the clay soil gives the river a yellow color.
About 1840, Fort Stansbury was established on the river by placing palisades around a large two story house that had been abandoned by its owner because of the Indian raids of that period. This fort was important in the forced removal of many Indians. Boats went up river to load and move them down to other ports for removal to "Indian Territories." Fort Stansbury was abandoned by 1844.
From 1839-1842, Fort Virginia Braden was established on the river located at Ft. Braden, Florida. The fort was named after the commander's wife who died of yellow fever.
[edit] The Civil War
During the Civil War, the Ochlockonee River saw at least one action. On 15 July 1863 the USS Stars and Stripes, and the USS Somerset destroyed the salt works at Marsh Island. On 29 December the Stars and Stripes sank the blockade-running schooner Caroline Gertrude aground on the bar at the mouth of the Ochlockonee. In 1864, the Stars and Stripes also captured the blockade-running steamer Laura off the Ochlockonee on 18 January. The final action of the war took place on 19 and 20 October 1864 when the Stars and Stripes destroyed an extensive Confederate fishery at Marsh Island and captured the troops stationed there as guards;
[edit] Importance
The Ochlockonee River is a vital link in the production of seafood to the south in Apalachicola Bay. During floods, the river transports organic matter downstream into the estuary of Ochlockonee Bay where the shallows of the bay were created by the great volume of sand and clay brought down by the river. This estuary serves as a nursery for numerous species of fish and shellfish which are the basis for recreational and commercial fishing as well as the world-famous Apalachicola seafood that this area is known for.
The Ochlockonee River is a State of Florida designated Outstanding Florida Water.
