Our River?
The St. Johns was formed approximately 100,000 years ago after land rose along the coast and trapped a portion of the sea inland. However, the river did not take on its current form until only about 5,000-7,500 years ago, after the sea began to rise at the end of the last ice age. The hydrological cycle of the arid peninsula was transformed, resulting in rains that fed the surface flow of the St. Johns and its underground springs. (taken from: Mystjohnsriver.com)
I've heard the stories repeated by the ancient Timicuan Indians that the river is, "the river of lakes". The ancient Indians passed on knowledge for eons, verbal archives. And when their ancestors walked the banks the river, it was slow and shallow. And more like a connection of many large lakes, than a flowing river. (as per local historian, Capt. Randall)
Today, in Duval County not a single remnants of what the Timicuan Indians saw, is left of the river. We've made it what it is now.
But here's a really great web site. http://www.mystjohnsriver.com/index.php I've put up this URL of the site that has the map feature. You are able to scroll up and down the river and where you see an "eye" that says 360, you can take a virtual 360 degree tour of the area......Super cool! I thought.
Of course, I went straight to the top of the river and did the 360 degree tour. Which is at the Dames Point Bridge. Not the most "scenic" part of the river with the terminals of Blount Island and all. But the very same industrial area from the water, is the structure that makes up many of my favorite Speckled Trout & Redfish haunts. And if you've never seen "the river" via the water. And you're really not a fisherman. That's why I do river cruises, park to park water transportation (Ft. Caroline to Kingsley Plantation), Sight seeing, Dolphin & bird watching. http://www.captdaves.com/Cruises.htm
The colored circles on this link http://www.mystjohnsriver.com/index.php are "click'able" and info appears on the left side bar. Some really interesting facts, such as one of the river's claim to fame:
"The St. Johns flows 310 miles from it's headwaters to the Atlantic Ocean, making it the longest river in Florida, and the longest river in the U.S. to flow north......." (taken from: Mystjohnsriver.com)
But as an Angler. I'm well aware of this fact, also:
"when the St. Johns meets the Atlantic Ocean, it dumps nearly 5-1/2 BILLION GALLONS into the Ocean each day. At a rate of 8,300 cubic feet per SECOND. Despite these astronomical numbers, often the TIDAL FLOW of the Atlantic is stronger of that of the St. Johns, causing a back wash of river and Ocean water....." (taken from: Mystjohnsriver.com)
Keep in mind, that not all the facts shown along the left sidebar of this page are "Chamber of Commerce" material. This site is part of the St. Johns River keeper. And facts come with the good and the bad.
But, education is what this site is all about. And I thought new and old residents of J-ville could benefit from some of the material included on it. http://www.mystjohnsriver.com/
It's kinda weird that I have lived in two places in the country where the river flows north. Thanks to the USAF, I spent way too much time in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Where the Red River...."of the North", travels between North Dakota and Minnesota, northward to Winnipeg, Manitoba. And into Lake Winnipeg.
By the way....."Why are you not fishing?"
With the BEST weather of the ENTIRE year in Jacksonville. Don't you wanna smell the salt air and catch some dinner?
This is what I live for all year long......windows open, A/C off, and not sweating fishing. Call Capt Dave and get yourself on the Jettywolf, soon.
This doesn't last forever, as we well know!
