Florida /

Withlacoochee River

River in Florida · near Beverly Hills, Brooksville, Bushnell, Crystal River

The Withlacoochee River, also known as the Crooked River, is a 141-mile river in central Florida with a drainage basin of 1,170 square miles. It begins in the Green Swamp east of Polk City and flows west, north and northwest before turning west again to reach the Gulf of Mexico near Yankeetown. Along the way it crosses Pasco and Hernando counties and forms county boundaries with Sumter, Citrus, Marion and Levy. Its tributaries include the Little Withlacoochee River, Gum Slough, Jumper Creek and the Outlet River from Lake Panasoffkee. Lake Rousseau, on the lower river, was formed in 1909 when the original Inglis Dam was completed to support the phosphate industry.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has designated the 76-mile Withlacoochee River South Paddling Trail, which runs from Lacoochee Park to Centennial Park at the US 41 bridge in Dunnellon. Access points along the trail include the Crooked River, River Junction, Silver Lake, Iron Bridge and Hog Island recreation areas, Nobleton Wayside Park, Lake Townsen Regional Park, Carlson Landing at Wysong Dam, Turner Camp and Spruce Park. In dry seasons, logs and hyacinth jams can block the upper section. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) puts Idle Speed/No Wake zones into effect on several stretches when flood gauges reach set heights. Near Yankeetown, a year-round Slow Speed manatee zone covers the narrow channel south and west of the Highway 40 boat ramp.

The Battle of Withlacoochee, one of the first engagements of the Second Seminole War, was fought at the Cove of the Withlacoochee on December 31, 1835.

Boating rules

Rules change; check with the agency or town before you go.

Launches

Community

Where people who fish, boat and paddle Withlacoochee River talk about it. Lake associations, clubs and local groups will be added as we find them.

Sources

  1. Withlacoochee River South Paddling Trail Guide - Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  2. Florida's Designated Paddling Trails - Florida DEP Office of Greenways and Trails
  3. Lakes and Tributaries - WaterMatters.org (Southwest Florida Water Management District)
  4. Withlacoochee River - FWC
  5. 68D-24.109 Withlacoochee River Boating Restricted Areas - Florida Administrative Code
  6. Wysong Park - WaterMatters.org (Southwest Florida Water Management District)
  7. Withlacoochee River (Florida) - Wikipedia
  8. FWC to install waterway markers in Levy County for amended Manatee Protection zone - Mainstreet Daily News

Researched October 13, 2026 from the sources above. Written content CC BY 4.0. Something wrong? Corrections are welcome.

Wikidata: Q3569503