First, an overview description of the river is given.
Second, a list of topographic maps that can be used for that particular section of river. Topo maps are listed in the order in which the river flows. Unless otherwise noted as above, all maps are located on the Florida Index of the United States Geological Survey (USGS). If there is not a local source for maps, they can be ordered on the Web at www.topozone.com.
Third, the river section to be described is labeled and identified by the section put-in followed by the section takeout.
Fourth, in an at-a-glance list to the side of the put-in/takeout section, basic river data is given, including class, length, time, gauge, level, gradient, and scenery.
Class, or river difficulty, has been adapted from a system developed by American Whitewater and is rated Class I through VI. For detailed information on the rating system, refer to Appendix C. Length provides the river miles traversed between the put-in and takeout. Time provides conservative paddling times for the runs without allowing for lunch, fishing, playing, napping, or otherwise dawdling. Wind, currents, and tides can alter these times. Gauge indicates whether the method of gauging the river is visual, by phone, or by checking on the Web. If visual, you literally have to look at the river to determine whether it is runnable or not. Phone indicates you can call a number to find out if it is runnable, and Web means you can look on the Internet to find out whether it can be floated. Level indicates the flow rates at which a particular river can be run. Most Florida rivers can be run year-round. Where we do not have a specific figure we list the level as “N/A,” meaning a specific number is not available. Government agencies like the USGS measure river flows at gauging stations throughout the country. This information is collected and recorded hourly. You will find Web sites and phone numbers listed in the discussion of river gauges below. You will also encounter “paddler’s gauges” painted on bridge piers and rocks. Although not reported on Web sites, they remain in use. Gradient is the average drop of the river in feet per mile. For example, 2 means that the river drops at an average rate of two feet per mile. Remember: The difficulty of a river’s rapids is not determined only by gradient. Some rivers drop evenly over continuous rapids of roughly the same difficulty. Others alternate between long pools and drops that are steeper than the gradient would indicate. Many Florida rivers have swift currents that sweep through fallen trees around unseen bends, adding to difficulty. Scenery is ranked on an A to D scale: A—remote wilderness areas with little sign of civilization, B—more settled, but still beautiful pastoral countryside, C—lots of development (cities or industry), D—pollution, phosphate mines, rundown buildings, and other forms of landscape abuse. The quality of the scenery along a river often changes. For example, the Hillsborough River within Hillsborough River State Park is considered A, but becomes C on its lower reaches where houses are common.
Fifth, a Description of the specific section of the river is provided.
Sixth, Shuttle lists the exact takeout and put-in with directions to a particular highway or secondary road bridge. Detailed directions have been given to find the put-in and the takeout. Where there are several sections of a particular stream included, only the put-in on the first section and the takeout on the last section are described.
Seventh, Gauge shows exactly which gauge(s) are needed to determine river runnability. (Note: Gauges are not available for some streams.)
Finally, maps detail each river included in this guidebook. They include the put-ins and takeouts, plus features of interest such as bridges, landing areas, rapids, and confluences with other rivers, creeks, and streams. These maps will aid paddlers in finding their way, but they are no substitute for detailed USGS topographic maps, county maps, or map books such as the DeLorme Gazetteer.
In Florida, most rivers can be paddled year-round, since they are spring fed or tidal, or simply have slow rates of fluctuation.