Return to Levy County RECREATION 1908 Post Card "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River"  SUWANNEE RIVER Originating in the Okefenokee Swamp of southern Georgia and straddling the Florida-Georgia border, the Suwannee winds its way south for some 280 miles before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.  Stephen Foster's famous old song has made the name familiar to many.  Over 197 pristine fresh water springs  and numerous creeks and tributaries feed the massive flow that borders 7 of 11 north Florida counties.  Six of these springs are considered first magnitude springs, pumping 64 million gallons of water daily or more.

WACCASSASA RIVER Some of the county's most remote areas can be explored by canoe or kayak from the Waccassasa River. Winding its way through the heart of Levy County the Wacassasa River leads to the Waccassasa Bay Preserve State Park. Only accessible by boat, the Preserve covers over 32,000 coastal wilderness acres and extends along the Gulf Coast from Cedar Key to Yankeetown.  Activities include wildlife viewing, fishing, boating and hunting. Boat access to the Waccassa is available from Cedar Key, Yankeetown and a boat launch at the end of 326 ouf of Gulf Hammock.  With lots of oyster shell bars this provides outstanding redfish grounds.

WEKIVA RIVER Designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway, the Wekiva River is one of the few nearly pristine riverine systems remaining in central Florida.  It is a State Canoe Trail and receives its water from natural aquifer springs and drainage from approximately 130 miles of watershed.

WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER The Withlacoochee River is a "black water" river.  The water quality is good and receives its coloring from the tannic acid found in vegetation and a high sediment level.  Being a major tributary of the Suwannee River, the Withlacoochee includes five freshwater springs, one of which is a first-magnitude spring. Access to the Withlacoochee is found on State Road 6 in Madison, Highway 145 in Madison, and at the Suwannee River State Park.

LAKE ROUSSEAU Encompassing nearly 3,700 acres, Lake Rousseau was created by the Inglis Dam on the Withlacoochee River.  Three counties surround Lake Rousseau: Levy County to the North, Citrus County to the South and Marion County to the East.  Primarily a bass fishing lake it is fed by the Rainbow River and the Withlacoochee River.  The old river channel cuts through Lake Rousseau to the Inglis Dam and the Cross Florida Barge Canal.