{{Geobox|River}}
The Tomoka River is a north-flowing river in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It drains an area of about 110 square miles (280 km2)[1] and is the longest river in Volusia County (excluding the St. Johns River), with a length of 19.6 miles (31.5 km).[2]
Geography
editThe Tomoka rises in the forests of Volusia County between Port Orange and Daytona Beach at an elevation of 23 feet (7.0 m). The river then flows north-northeast, passing through the cities of Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach until it empties into the Halifax River. Near its mouth the river passes through the Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve and Tomoka State Park. It also runs next to the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport and Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park.
Manatee sanctuary
editThe river and several of its tributaries (Strickland, Thompson and Dodson Creek) are designated as a Manatee Sanctuary. Other rare species that inhabit the river basin include include the wood stork, bald eagle, and Atlantic salt marsh snake.
Paddling trail
editThere is a 13 miles (21 km) long designated paddling trail from the Riverbend Nature Park to the Tomoka State Park. This trail is unusual as it actually leads 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream from the put-in point, until the river becomes too narrow to continue, then turns around to continue 8 miles (13 km) to the end. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recommends this paddling trail for beginners.[3]
List of crossings
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Boning, Charles R. (2008). Florida's Rivers. Pineapple Press. ISBN 978-1-56164-400-1.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 18, 2011
- ^ "Florida Designated Paddling Trails: Tomoka River" (PDF). Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 4 March 2013.