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 has a length of 19.6 miles (31.5 km).[2]

Tomoka River
Tomoka River in Ormond Beach
Halifax River watershed
Location
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountiesVolusia
DistrictSJRWMD
Physical characteristics
SourceTomoka Farms
 • locationDaytona Beach, Florida
 • coordinates29°08′12″N 81°04′47″W / 29.13667°N 81.07972°W / 29.13667; -81.07972
MouthHalifax River
 • location
Ormond Beach, Florida
 • coordinates
29°21′38″N 81°05′28″W / 29.36056°N 81.09111°W / 29.36056; -81.09111
Length20 mi (32 km)
Basin size110 sq mi (280 km2)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftLittle Tomoka River

Geography

edit

The 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

edit

The river and several of its tributaries (Strickland, Thompson and Dodson Creek) are designated as a manatee sanctuary. Other threatened species that inhabit the river basin include the wood stork and Atlantic salt marsh snake. The bald eagle can also be found in and around the river basin.

Paddling trail

edit

There 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

edit
Crossing Carries Image Location Coordinates
Headwaters 29°08′12″N 81°04′47″W / 29.13667°N 81.07972°W / 29.13667; -81.07972
private road Daytona Beach 29°08′23″N 81°04′50″W / 29.13972°N 81.08056°W / 29.13972; -81.08056
private road Daytona Beach 29°08′48″N 81°05′09″W / 29.14667°N 81.08583°W / 29.14667; -81.08583
790103/790104   Interstate 4 Daytona Beach 29°09′02″N 81°05′14″W / 29.15056°N 81.08722°W / 29.15056; -81.08722
790021/790097   US 92
International Speedway Boulevard
Daytona Beach 29°09′51″N 81°05′26″W / 29.16417°N 81.09056°W / 29.16417; -81.09056
power line maintenance road Holly Hill 29°11′43″N 81°05′57″W / 29.19528°N 81.09917°W / 29.19528; -81.09917
11th Street Bridge
794038
  CR 4019
LPGA Boulevard
Holly Hill 29°13′02″N 81°06′35″W / 29.21722°N 81.10972°W / 29.21722; -81.10972
790027/790163   SR 40
Granada Boulevard
Ormond Beach 29°15′17″N 81°07′25″W / 29.25472°N 81.12361°W / 29.25472; -81.12361
Confluence with Little Tomoka River Ormond Beach 29°15′27″N 81°07′24″W / 29.25750°N 81.12333°W / 29.25750; -81.12333
790077/790078   Interstate 95 Ormond Beach 29°15′46″N 81°07′05″W / 29.26278°N 81.11806°W / 29.26278; -81.11806
Island Ormond Beach 29°16′58″N 81°06′06″W / 29.28278°N 81.10167°W / 29.28278; -81.10167
rail bridge FEC Ormond Beach 29°18′16″N 81°05′45″W / 29.30444°N 81.09583°W / 29.30444; -81.09583
790185/790186   US 1
Yonge Street
Ormond Beach 29°18′19″N 81°05′39″W / 29.30528°N 81.09417°W / 29.30528; -81.09417
794016 Old Dixie Highway Ormond Beach 29°20′32″N 81°05′11″W / 29.34222°N 81.08639°W / 29.34222; -81.08639
Mouth 29°21′38″N 81°05′28″W / 29.36056°N 81.09111°W / 29.36056; -81.09111

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Boning, Charles R. (2008). Florida's Rivers. Pineapple Press. ISBN 978-1-56164-400-1.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 18, 2011
  3. ^ "Florida Designated Paddling Trails: Tomoka River" (PDF). Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
edit