Update 2022-01-05: Turner Bridge mysteries –Ken Sulak 2021-12-16.

Nine of us paddled the Suwannee River from Roline to Cypress Creek South Launch at FL 6, mostly to see the remains of Turner Bridge, at the invitation of Dr. Ken Sulak, USGS, Retired, now researching bridge and history in the Suwannee River Basin. We saw a small gator, some dead top cypress trees, many health ones, and tupelo, pines, and oaks, as well a birds and a few fish. Mike Byerly discovered a small creek below Turner Bridge. Karst outcrops became more frequent the farther downstream we went. There was a shoal with waves for half a mile or so. An enjoyable warm winter day paddle.

Roline, Gator, Turner Bridge, Byerly Creek

Ken has written up his findings so far about Turner Bridge.

Ken Sulak, 12:06:59, 30.5424003, -82.7195039

Many of us got out at Turner Bridge to investigate the situation.

Boats and walkers, 13:46:49, 30.5245240, -82.7279590

Roline Boat Ramp is an easy put in.

Getting ready, 10:56:47, 30.5642861, -82.7251513

We did see one alligator, a small one, couple feet long. Quite a few birds, which the birders among us identified. Some fish jumped.

Little Gator, 11:38:53, 30.5529031, -82.7209510

The blue SRWMD signs reminded us that much of the riverfront was state land.

Suwannee River Water Management District Vertical Control, Please do not disturb, 11:38:59, 30.5529031, -82.7209510

We had very experienced paddlers, with stories from Belize to Siberia.

Experienced paddlers, 11:40:58, 30.5519321, -82.7206510

The Suwannee River did not disappoint.

Wrested vegetation and deadfalls, 11:44:18, 30.5511339, -82.7218809

Somebody had left some boots on cypress knees.

Boots on cypress knees, 11:59:32, 30.5444536, -82.7205229

Turner bridge pylons

Concrete in steel tubes, 13:49:54, 30.5244430, -82.7278720

Click on any small picture to see a bigger one.

We credit Mike Byerly with discovery of a small creek or runoff a bit downstream from Turner Bridge.

Mike Byerly paddling up, 14:11:18, 30.5239779, -82.7275273

There were some tiny rapids.

Waves, 14:37:06, 30.5212725, -82.7198866

Karst outcrops became common below Turner Bridge.

Karst, 14:42:11, 30.5172056, -82.7183302

And we took out just above FL 6, at Cypress Creek Launch South, where you pick which way you want to haul your boat up the riverbank.

FL 6 bridge, 14:55:56, 30.5089612, -82.7166214

There are more pictures on the WWALS website.

The water level was 54.35 at White Springs (US 41). That’s well within our recommended minimum 52, maximum 68 for Roline Boat Ramp, Turner Bridge Boat Ramp, and Cypress Creek South Launch. All three are in Hamilton County, Florida. See our WWALS web pages and map of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail (SRWT). According to SRWMD and Florida Parks, SRWT only starts at White Springs, but WWALS maps it all the way up into the Okefenokee Swamp.

WWALS paddled the same stretch 2016-09-05, when the White Springs gauge was at about 52.36′.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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