The entrance to Withlacoochee River is a long, narrow, multi-marker channel. This new technology will assist boaters wanting to explore the beautiful Withlacoochee.

Lower Withlacoochee River Survey Made Easier with Sonar Technology
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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”