Flomaton Opens New Canoe Launch
July 19, 2012
The Town of Flomaton has recently completed a new canoe launch on Big Escambia Creek. The entrance is located at the end of the guardrail on Highway 31west of the creek, across from Church’s Chicken.
Big Escambia Creek flows south into Florida and the Escambia River at Century.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
19 Responses to “Flomaton Opens New Canoe Launch”
Want to go on a float this July …… Will the water be high enough ??? Will probably put in at Magnolia Branch and tak out at Flomaton bridge
I think you’re considering if from a different viewpoint.
You’re considering whether or not tugs and barges could go up it now.
They’re considering whether it’s legal to close to the public or not.
As to dusting anything off, nothing I posted was from before Al Gore invented the Internet. I just typed in key words and checked the site most likely to have pertinent information. Then I shared where it was in case I got it wrong.
Well David I guess you had to dust off the CFRs to find that definition, but as a former Coastie and Marine Safery Investigator of 13 years; if theres no bouys, and no commercial traffic, then its not navigable. Not withstanding the
CFR definition..it being a bit dated and all…as a former coastie we would have just defered to the state.
REGARDING:
“Little Escambia is not (by Coast Guard definition) a navigable waterway,”
Checking federal definitions, we find
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=3ee0384802f0138823544c9643eebb78;rgn=div5;view=text;node=33%3A1.0.1.1.2;idno=33;cc=ecfr#33:1.0.1.1.2.1.1.2
Ҥ 2.36 Navigable waters of the United States, navigable waters, and territorial waters.
“(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, navigable waters of the United States, navigable waters, and territorial waters mean, except where Congress has
– - –
“(3) Internal waters of the United States not subject to tidal influence that:
(i) Are or have been used, or are or have been susceptible for use, by themselves or in connection with other waters, as highways for substantial interstate or foreign commerce, notwithstanding natural or man-made obstructions that require portage, or
(ii) A governmental or non-governmental body, having expertise in waterway improvement, determines to be capable of improvement at a reasonable cost (a favorable balance between cost and need) to provide, by themselves or in connection with other waters, as highways for substantial interstate or foreign commerce.”
“Are or have been used for substantial interstate or foreign commerce”
Thus, if at some time in the past, a creek were used to float logs downstream to sell to people in other states (say, Florida for instance) or to sell to other nations, that creek would forever be considered a navigable water unless Congress said “No.”
In fact, if it were ever used to haul materials by canoe for purpose of trade (even illegal trade) with Florida, it meets the definition.
David for water navigation
49SCJ:
first of all little escambia is not (by Coast Guard definition) a navigable waterway, as there is no commercial shipping on this creek, and the trussel referes to the road access.. CSX blocked it off because after a few idiots decided it was a good idea to jump off the bridge, and in some cases the box cars when the water was up.
where are the alligators
where are the alligators
Please define blocked the trussel? It is illegal to block a navigable waterway.
CSX blocked the trussell because of imature people doing drugs and tearing up the raod. That is what is wrong with alot of places around here the river gravel lakes and other places people tear the roads up and people who cant walk good cant go fishing and enjoy there time with family because “KIDS” tear everything up. They dont think about the freedom they have to just ride and not spin out in every mud hole and make it bad on everyone. Maybe everywhere should be blocked off I wounder if they will stop and think then. They have to they have no choice!!!!
Yes Yes Yes will be much easier now!!!!!!
Now if they’d get an environmental action going to clean up the water to eliminate toxic runoff, etc., maybe we could swim in it without ear infections. But watch out for alligators.
GATORS??????
We need something like this on the Perdido River, up at Miller’s Ferry.
I don’t get it. Where can you come out at if CSX blocked the trussell?
I am glad to see they have cleaned this up. It was always a dark place full of beer cans and trash. But yes, Big Esambia is a wonderful float. I have even put in on I-65 at the bridge between Atmore and Flomaton exits and come down. If you put in at Flomaton you float down and hit the Escambia River and pull out about a mile down stream near the Hwy 4 bridge.
If you put in here, where do you come out at?
I have been waiting for this for a long time.
This is wonderful news! If you haven’t canoed or kayaked on this creek lately you are missing out on a treat! The water is crystal clear and you can go miles without bumping into anyone. The banks are clean and the wildlife and scenery are amazing. No matter how many times I paddle this creek it never fails to thrill with its beauty. Great job on the improvement Flomaton!
This is nice!