Choctawhatchee River
Alabama/FloridaThis small river is a well-kept secret . . . here's a beauty that you can float all the way to its mouth!
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Choctawhatchee River "At a Glance"
Scenery Southern forests and swamps Best time Spring, fall (winter) Wilderness Some remote sections, little development Water Flow Dependable, free-flowing Water Quality Silty when high, but good Campsites Varied, see below Hazards Some shoals & one drop in the upper section, few otherwise Logistics Self help shuttle; access good (particularly lower river) Trip Length Up to 124 miles Recommendation Undiscovered gem
Boynton "Cutoff", Choctawhatchee RiverGeneral Description & Characteristics -- The Choctawhatchee (CHOCK t'HATCH-ee), a largely undiscovered delight for canoeists, is a primary river emanating from Barbour County in southeastern Alabama. Its total length is about 170 miles. With reasonable flow, nearly 150 miles is floatable. The river is remote and does not have easy access in the upper sections, while there is good access as the river gains in size from its many tributaries and springs. The characteristic yellowish brown water reflects the color of the soil it carries as silt. The Choctawhatchee is free of major impoundment, so the flow will fluctuate with seasonal rainfall, and rises will result from heavy rains.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- A recommended trip is from Dale County (Alabama) road 36 (north of Midland City) to Florida highway 20, a distance of 102 miles. To avoid the few pool and drop rapids of the first few miles, you can put in at or near the highway 123/134 bridge (Newton, Alabama), and shorten the trip by about 14 miles. Check locally about access points to the upper river, as they may be difficult to find.
The lower section of the river can be floated all the way to Choctawhatchee Bay. This lower section adds about 22 miles to this trip. The best take out point for canoes on Choctawhatchee Bay is at Point Washington, Florida, where there is a public ramp at the end of route 395. This would involve paddling about two miles across Choctawhatchee Bay. Paddling on the open bay can be hazardous in windy conditions.
Interesting Features -- The Choctawhatchee River flows through a rich forest region where cypress, oak, and other bottomland hardwoods prevail. There are also some sections where pine trees are found. Floating the Choctawhatchee allows one to experience the transformation of a river from a narrow, rocky creek to a sprawling coastal river -- all in the space of about 120 miles. The upper section has limestone ledges that can be tricky to maneuver. Below the confluence of the East Fork, the river becomes wider and flatter. After the confluence with the Pea River at Geneva, Alabama, the Choctawhatchee becomes even wider, and large sandbars prevail. Several large springs add to the flow of the river. Finally, the Choctawhatchee takes on the characteristics of a coastal river as it nears sea level.
The town of Caryville (at highway 90) was evacuated and residents relocated after the flood of 1994. Farther downstream, the so-called "Boynton Cutoff" is the main channel of the Choctawhatchee and should be considered the primary route, though some water does still flow in the old channel at times. Contrary to published reports, there is no longer a dangerous bridge on Boynton Cutoff.
There are two significant springs on the Choctawhatchee that can be visited on your trip. Blue Spring (just a few miles downstream from Geneva) is only about 100' off the river. It has an impressive flow of gin clear water, and you can paddle your canoe right over the outflow. Morrison Spring is about 1/2 mile off the main river channel. It can be easily reached by paddling up the spring run (or by road off highway 181). About 40 million gallons of water flows out of the underwater cave. The private landing provides access to this popular attraction for swimming, picnicking and diving.
Camping -- The varying nature of the river mean a wide variation in the availability and quality of campsites. In the region with large sand bars, camping will be excellent. In the upper and lower sections, campsites will be more difficult to find. Much of the land on the lower river is public hunting access land, and there are several public and private camping areas.
Additional Information:
Canoeing Information
See "Books", below
Wild Florida description of the Choctawhatchee (a bit out of date, but useful)
Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service Canoe Livery, which operated in Newton, Alabama, for many years is now closed. Check in Newell Alabama for a new canoe rental service. River Flow Data
- Newton, AL - suggested minimum flow for the upper section 600 cfs
- Caryville, FL.
- Bruce, FL (highway 20)
- If you have difficulty obtaining data from these links, CLICK HERE
Parks on/near the River There are several county access parks along the Choctawhatchee River, with varying degrees of amenities. Towns/Other Locales on/near the River Geneva, Alabama Books A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to the Streams of Florida More Pictures Environmental Issues/Organizations Alabama Rivers Alliance Acknowledgments/Contributors AJ & Lori ajcracker1369@juno.com Miscellaneous Chuck (trout) Allen's Trail Journals has a very interesting account of a trip on this river at high water.
