Come see what the Ichetucknee Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) is about. Swim in the itch head spring. Then join us for a leisurely paddle 4 miles downstream in crystal clear waters with the possibility of seeing manatee, several types of gar and bird species.
Thanks to Linda Dicker, who proposed the SPZ, for leading this expedition, and for arranging takeout at the private TREPO Point Park.
Thanks to WWALS water quality tester Christiaan Ard for assisting leading this outing.
The Ichetucknee River is great paddling in the park. From there down to the Santa Fe River, power boats abound, producing wakes, endangering humans and wildlife, and eroding shorelines. The SPZ would require a No Wake Zone and maybe ban personal watercraft.
You can write to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWC), using this handy form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYFArSQsstOauhRVYTCMoikXYIo0i_gDmkuDlbTC-7OSsgQQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114012348461689332646
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 11 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, January 10, 2026
Put In: Dip in Ichetucknee Headspring, then paddle starting at North Launch Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Ichetucknee S.P. North Entrance, 8294 SW Elim Church Rd, Fort White, FL 32038, in Columbia County.
GPS: 29.98292, -82.76053
[Ichetucknee Polar Plunge and River Paddle 2026-01-10, to see SPZ, Springs Protection Zone]
Take Out: TREPO Point Park
Boats: Bring your own kayak or canoe if you can.
If you do not have one, we may be able to provide one if you ask in advance.
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit.
Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.
Do not bring things prohibited by the park rules, such as glass containers, disposable containers, pets, tobacco or nicotine including vapes, radios, speakers, or loud music, water guns or blasters, or fishing gear.
Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot paddle with us.
Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online:
https://wwals.net/outings
Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available.
The park charges $6 per vehicle.
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
[Ichetucknee Headspring, 2020-01-04 --jsq for WWALS]
Duration: 5 hours
Paddle: 5 miles, 4 hours.
[Ichetucknee Springs North Boat Ramp, 2020-01-04 --jsq for WWALS]
Shuttle: 8 miles one way, 40 minutes round trip.
This outing includes the traditional WWALS shuttle. Everybody takes their boats to the put-in, most people drive to the take-out, and the drivers pile into one or two vehicles and go back to the put-in.
[Point Park, Ichetucknee River @ SW Riverside Ave. 2025-11-03 –Christiaan Ard for WWALS]
Host: Linda Dicker
Contact: John S. Quarterman
Backup: in case of bad weather or high or low water is: Reschedule to 2026-01-17
More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page,
https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
https://wwals.net/?p=68835
You may also like the following events from WWALS Watershed Coalition is Suwannee Riverkeeper:
- This Saturday, 22nd November, 09:00 am, Knights Ferry to Nankin Clean Up, Withlacoochee River in Quitman
- Next month, 5th December, 04:00 pm, Campfire Cooking at Griffis Fish Camp and Suwannee River paddle in Fargo
- Next month, 12th December, 06:00 pm, Social, bonfire at Janet’s in Valdosta
Also check out other
Trips & Adventurous Activities in Fort White,
Sports events in Fort White,
Nonprofit events in Fort White.
