Black Creek (Florida)
Encyclopedia
Black Creek is a 13 miles (20.9 km) tributary
of the St. Johns River
. It is located in Clay County, Florida
. It rises in the Jennings State Forest
from the north fork, and from Kingsley Lake
from the south and east forks. It passes near the communities of Middleburg
, Asbury Lake
, Hibernia
, and Green Cove Springs
. It flows into the St. Johns River north of Green Cove Springs.
The creek is named for the water coloration, caused by the presence of tannin from decaying leaves and vegetation. It is considered to be one of the cleanest creeks in the state. In shallow areas, the creek water is stained red, and in deeper waters, the water appears black. Sections of the creek have eroded surrounding terrain and have formed deep ravines. The lower creek basin is affected by the tidal influences of the St. Johns River.
It forms the southern peninsula of Fleming Island
between the St. Johns River
and Doctors Inlet.
Two major highway
s cross Black Creek: State Road 21 north of Middleburg and U.S. Route 17 near the mouth of Black Creek at the St. Johns River.
CR 218 also crosses Black Creek in Middleburg just 0.1 mile (0.160934 km) east of 21 or as it is more commonly known Blanding Blvd. CR 218 also crosses the north fork northwest of the south entrance to Jennings State Forest.
North Fork Black Creek has Yellow Water Creek, Big Branch, and Little Black Creek as its main tributaries with headwaters rising in Kingsley Lake
, a large lake in Clay County. South Fork Black Creek is fed by areas of wetlands and numerous small streams. The confluence of North Fork Black Creek and South Fork Black Creek near Middleburg form the main channel of Black Creek.
Much of the main creek channel is navigable by boats and other watercraft. The two forks must generally be traveled by canoe or kayak with portaging necessary in shallow areas.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
. It is located in Clay County, Florida
Clay County, Florida
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
. It rises in the Jennings State Forest
Jennings State Forest
The Jennings State Forest is in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located in northeastern Florida, near Jacksonville.-References and external links:*...
from the north fork, and from Kingsley Lake
Kingsley lake
Kingsley Lake is an almost circular lake of about in North Central Florida, about six miles east of Starke, Florida. According to some sources, it is the oldest and highest lake in Florida, located on the edge of the Trail Ridge formation. The lake is a very stable lake with a sandy bottom. Its...
from the south and east forks. It passes near the communities of Middleburg
Middleburg, Florida
Middleburg is a census-designated place in Clay County, Florida, United States, located 29 miles southwest of downtown Jacksonville, Florida, 16 miles northwest of Green Cove Springs, Florida, and home to Middleburg High School...
, Asbury Lake
Asbury Lake, Florida
Lake Asbury is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Clay County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,228 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lake Asbury located at ....
, Hibernia
Hibernia, Florida
Hibernia is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Florida, United States. It is located off US 17, on the western bank of the St. Johns River. It is the home of historic St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and Cemetery.-Post Office:A U.S...
, and Green Cove Springs
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Green Cove Springs is a city in Clay County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,378 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,908. It is the county seat of Clay County....
. It flows into the St. Johns River north of Green Cove Springs.
The creek is named for the water coloration, caused by the presence of tannin from decaying leaves and vegetation. It is considered to be one of the cleanest creeks in the state. In shallow areas, the creek water is stained red, and in deeper waters, the water appears black. Sections of the creek have eroded surrounding terrain and have formed deep ravines. The lower creek basin is affected by the tidal influences of the St. Johns River.
It forms the southern peninsula of Fleming Island
Fleming Island, Florida
Fleming Island is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Florida, United States. It is located 15 miles southwest of Jacksonville, on the western side of the St. Johns River, off US 17. Fleming Island's zip code became 32003 in 2004 separating it from Orange Park.It is primarily a bedroom...
between the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
and Doctors Inlet.
Two major highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
s cross Black Creek: State Road 21 north of Middleburg and U.S. Route 17 near the mouth of Black Creek at the St. Johns River.
CR 218 also crosses Black Creek in Middleburg just 0.1 mile (0.160934 km) east of 21 or as it is more commonly known Blanding Blvd. CR 218 also crosses the north fork northwest of the south entrance to Jennings State Forest.
North Fork Black Creek has Yellow Water Creek, Big Branch, and Little Black Creek as its main tributaries with headwaters rising in Kingsley Lake
Kingsley lake
Kingsley Lake is an almost circular lake of about in North Central Florida, about six miles east of Starke, Florida. According to some sources, it is the oldest and highest lake in Florida, located on the edge of the Trail Ridge formation. The lake is a very stable lake with a sandy bottom. Its...
, a large lake in Clay County. South Fork Black Creek is fed by areas of wetlands and numerous small streams. The confluence of North Fork Black Creek and South Fork Black Creek near Middleburg form the main channel of Black Creek.
Much of the main creek channel is navigable by boats and other watercraft. The two forks must generally be traveled by canoe or kayak with portaging necessary in shallow areas.