Ichetucknee River Overall Fastest Known Paddle: 31 M

(this is also the 1st solo female male FKP)

Emily Broderson, age 47, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, USA.

March 26, 2025

3.1 miles

Unsupported

Start: Ichetucknee Boat Launch, O’Brien, FL. 9:39am EST, March 26th.

Finish: Dampiers Landing Dock, Columbia County, FL. 10:10am EST, March 26th.

Support Crew: none

Boat: Savage River Blackwater C1 Canoe

Maps: Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection map.

Trip Report from Emily Broderson:

I had intended to put in at the Ichetucknee Springs Last Take Out, where I've started other times but when I got there I found out there was no private vehicle access anymore so I scouted around and put in a the Dampiers Landing Dock. It's about a 1/3 of a mile portage on a paved trail from the parking lot to the put-in. I moseyed up the river taking in all the gorgeous scenery. At one point in shallows I planted my paddle on a big gar fish and it did not like it and splashed and bonked my boat as it swam under me. That was a surprise! I came within about 10 feet of a white heron. My sense is that the animals are pretty used to humans on this river. The number of turtles was ridiculous as usual. There were no floaty kayaks or tubers yet but when I got to the top a group of floaty kayaks was just about to get in the river. My official start was kind of rushed because I wanted to get out of there before they got going as there is a very narrow section right away. So, I took off without sliding my seat back for the downstream and immediately ran right into a tree. If the kayakers hadn't been there I would have done a re-do but they were right behind me so I just re-grouped and kept going. The river sped by. I was very narrow focused on paddling hard and staying in the current. I only saw to floaty kayakers who had put in downstream of the springs. The landing came surprisingly quick. I turned around and moseyed back up to where I had put in. For reference the USGS water level gauge for Ichetucknee_27 was 16.5 this morning. Based on previous year when I've paddled this river in March the level seemed about average. There are no rapids on this section of the river but some areas of fairly strong current.