Elizabeth (UR) - The Tomoka River

Map of Tomoka State Park

When you hear of the Tomoka River you usually relate it to Ormond Beach and the Tomoka State Park, but just where does the river originate? If you look at maps you can trace the river south from Ormond Beach to the southern edge of Daytona Beach. The headwaters of the Tomoka River originate in a low-lying area south of I-4 and west of I-95. The river flows north northeast and empties into the Tomoka Basin which joins the Halifax River.  The Tomoka River has many manmade canals as well as creeks that flow into it adding to the size of the Tomoka watershed. The watershed drains approximately 150 square miles. This is one of the largest sub-basins in the Florida East Coast Basin. East of the U.S. Highway 1 bridge is an aquatic preserve. The Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve is comprised of areas including the Tomoka Basin and the Tomoka River.

Railroad Bridge at US 1

Royal Oak Arch on the Tomoka

The Tomoka River is said to be a freshwater river, but it is a brackish river. This is due to the inlets north and south of it and the Halifax River that bring salt water into the river. There are many species of wildlife that call this river home. During the warmer months it is a sanctuary for the West Indian Manatees (Trichechus manatus). Many birds, turtles, alligators and even dolphins have been seen in the river. The river banks are home to live oaks (Quercus virginiana), various palms including our state tree the Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto) and in some areas old growth Bald Cyrpess (Taxodium distichum). Many of the cypress trees have died off as they cannot tolerate high salinity. Stay tuned for more on the Tomoka River. 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (n.d.). Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve. Retrieved from https://floridadep.gov/fco/aquatic-preserve/locations/tomoka-marsh-aquatic-preserve

Conner, W.H. & Inabinette, L.W. New Forest (2005) 29: 305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-005-5658-y

For Your Daily Dose of the Tropics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tidewater-florida.com/stateparks/tomoka-state-park.htm