Orange Creek


Orange Creek is a small stream in north-central and northeast Florida, that drains Orange Lake to the Ocklawaha River. Privately owned Orange Springs provides part of the water volume.

Description

Part of the Ocklawaha River drainage basin, Orange Creek rises at the southern end of Orange Lake in southeastern Alachua County, Florida. It flows generally eastwards for approximately, forming the boundary between Marion and Putnam Counties, before draining into the Ocklawaha River near Orange Springs. The creek's outflow enters the Oklawaha near Orange Ferry, along the stretch of river where the Ocklawaha is impounded to form Rodman Reservoir, part of the abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal; the creek was considered to be a significant source of water for the reservoir, providing a 20-year mean discharge of 188cfs as of 1973. The record flow at that time was 2,170 cfs. The creek is canoeable along its length, and is known for its fishing for bass and other gamefish.

Tributaries

A tributary, Little Orange Creek, joins from the north a few miles above the mouth of the creek. In the late 1800s several mills were located along Little Orange Creek.

Controversies

A dispute between Alachua, Marion and Putnam Counties arose in the 1960s over where their county lines lay with regards to the course of the creek. A dam impounds Orange Lake at its exit into the creek; it was the source of controversy in the late 1980s with some calling for its removal.