Anchoring on the Cross Florida Barge Canal (Big Bend Region, north of Crystal River)
This is one of Claiborne’s early posting and today TJ Palmerton has questions for you, in the comments below.
I’ve copied the discussion below from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page, and the AGLCA mailing list. The never completed Florida Barge Canal pierces the Big Bend portion of the Western Florida coastline north of Crystal River, and short hop south of the western entrance of the Withlacoochee River. I have never tried anchoring here, but after reading the messages below, it looks like a real possibility!
Does anybody have recent information regarding access, depths and anchoring in the abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal instead of going up to Yankeetown or Crystal River. This would mean continuing straight into the Barge Canal at G 23 instead of turning NE up the Withlacoohee River toward Yankeetown as mentioned in “Skipper Bob”.
Chuck and Barbara Ganem
“Gold Watch”
We anchored twice in the CFBC – once in 2008 and again in 2009. We need 4.5 feet of water and had no problem with depth. As I remember, it was 7-9 feet. The CFBC is well-sheltered from winds and has otters, dolphin, and bald eagles. Small (fast) boats use the CFBC to get to/from the boat ramp by the bridge, but the traffic is light and almost non-existent after dark.
One caution, in 2009, we started to anchor a mile from the entrance (where we anchored in 2008) and were stopped by the Coast Guard. They directed us to anchor in the turning basin, which is maybe a mile east of the bridge. The turning basin will add about 4-5 miles to your trip (one way).
Billy
Thank you for responding to my question regarding anchoring in the CFBC. I have since contacted the park ranger for that area thru a phone number I found on the government chart for that area now called the Cross Florida Greenway. His name is Chris McKenzie. He was very informative about the area and assured me that my draft of 4.5 feet would have no problem in the canal all the way to and including the turning basin which was about 1/2 mile past the highway bridge on the right side of the channel. He recommends that the turning basin is where to anchor and said it provides excellent protection from any direction. He explained that maybe about once every three months a tow and barge uses the canal to transport loads from mining either into or out of the canal.
The lowest water depth is at where the canal enters the point of land on the chart. He explained that at low tide the tow captains wait for a rising tide to pass this point with a loaded barge, but for a 4.5 ft draft this should be no problem.
This anchorage appears to be easier access, deeper and less distance than either going up the Crystal River or to Yankeetown but of course is still only an anchorage.
Chuck and Barbara Ganem
M/V “Gold Watch”
Comments from Cruisers (3)
As you get close to the non-operational lock the Withlacoochee river comes in from the south. Good depth up to within a 1/4 mile of the dam and spillway. There is no boat access to the Lake. Strong current in this part of the river.. The Withlacoochee is blocked on the north side as it is fed by another spillway on the north side of the lock. I have done both sides of the lock in my 11' Zodiac. Depth is good all the way from the Gulf to the lock.
I am wondering how far up the canal you can go. Can you go all the way up to the locks and is there any way to get past them going a different way around them?
Does anyone know how far that you can go up the canal? I heard that there’s a fresh water lake off to the east to anchor in. I have a 38’ Sea Ray and am curious about the depth all the way up.
Thank you,
TJ