Contact

Nicole Robinson - Nicole.Robinson@dep.state.fl.us
13802 Pumpkin Hill Road
Jacksonville, FL 32226
(904) 696-5944
(904) 696-5946 FAX

Description of Site

The Nassau River-St. Johns River Marshes and Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserves comprise both estuarine and marine waters of exceptional biological and aesthetic value to the state. These aquatic preserves are a unique Florida representative of the "Sea Islands" usually associated with southern Georgia. A chain of sandy barrier islands, occasional inlets, and a combination of sounds, rivers, and extensive coastal marshland characterize these. The preserve areas consist of vast salt marsh estuary with numerous interconnecting tidal creeks, and channels as well as minor uplands (tree islands).

Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve was designated for the primary purpose of establishing a protective aesthetic buffer for the state park and historic Fort Clinch. This preserve surrounds the state park and is comprised largely of open waters associated with St. Mary's Inlet, the Amelia River, and a three mile extension into the Atlantic Ocean off Amelia Island. The western boundary borders an extensive salt marsh system along Tiger Island. The northern boundary extends to the intracoastal waterway channel between the states of Florida and Georgia.

Established

Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve was designated on March 4, 1970.

The Nassau River-St. Johns River Aquatic Preserve was designated an aquatic preserve on November 24, 1969 for the primary purpose of preserving the biological resources of the Nassau Sound area marshes and associated waters.

Location

The Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve is located on the northern end of Amelia Island in Nassau County. It is bordered by the city of Fernandina Beach.

The Nassau River-St. Johns River Marsh Aquatic Preserve extends south from A1A and east from State Road 17 in Nassau County, to the St. Johns River in Duval County, which includes portions of the Nassau, Amelia, and Fort George Rivers. The preserve is bordered by two incorporated cities, Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville

Size

Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve encompasses approximately 9,000 acres of surface water area.

The Nassau - St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserve encompasses an area of approximately 57,000 acres.

Watershed

The barrier islands, marshes, channels, and tributaries of the Aquatic preserve are considered to be the southern extension of the St. Marys Meander Plain. From the St. Johns River to the Santee River in South Carolina, the coast is known as the "Sea Islands". This name is derived from the barrier chain, which is separated from the mainland by meandering tidal creeks resulting from fluvial and tidal sedimentation in derelict lagoons or coastal-parallel marshes between beach ridges.

The Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve surrounds Fort Clinch State Park and includes portions of the St. Mary's River on the north, the Amelia River on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east encompassing approximately 9,000 acres of surface water area. The preserve consists of a vast salt marsh estuary with numerous rivers, interconnecting tidal creeks, channels, and minor uplands (tree islands). The preserve is compromised largely of open waters associated with St. Mary's Inlet, the Amelia River, the intercoastal waterway between Florida and Georgia, a salt marsh along Tiger Island, and a three mile extension into the Atlantic Ocean off of Amelia Island.

The much longer Nassau River-St. Johns River Marsh Aquatic Preserve extends south from A1A and east from State Road 17 in Nassau County, to the St. Johns River in Duval County, which includes portions of the Nassau, Amelia, and Fort George Rivers.

The main source of freshwater input is primarily surface water drainage from the St. Johns, St. Marys, and Nassau Rivers, which empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Significant drainage also flows into the Intracoastal Waterway or into the numerous tributary channels, tidal creeks, streams, and sloughs connecting with it. These form the drainage network for Nassau and Duval Counties. These waterways drain 35%, 24%, 23%, and 18% of the two counties, respectively. When drainage areas beyond the county borders are included, the St. Johns and St. Marys Rivers drain a combined area of over 12,000 square miles. Therefore, the potential for pollution transport into the aquatic preserves is very high.

Habitat

Barrier islands, estuary, salt marsh, oyster bars, tidal flats, tidal beaches, and tree islands.

Ecological Importance

Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve was designated as an "aesthetic" preserve, and the Nassau River-St. Johns Marshes Aquatic Preserve was designated as a "biological" preserve. The preserves are important in protecting critical habitat to an extensive array of fish and wildlife. These environmentally sensitive preserves are dominated by salt marsh, which occur in nearly unbroken pure stands. Salt marsh produces very high levels of primary plant production, and frequent tidal flushing ensures the continuous transport of nutrients in and out of the estuary. Oyster bars, tidal flats, and beaches are also intricate parts of this dynamic system.

The communities of aquatic and wetland plants within the Preserve also perform major functions vital to the health and productivity of the estuarine system. Such as, stabilizing geologic features, creating organic material that fuels the estuarine food web, providing protected fisheries habitat for spawning and juvenile development. Also, providing roosting and nesting habitat for water birds, and buffering estuarine and riverine waters from contaminated and channelized runoff from uplands within the estuarine watershed, as well as buffering the uplands from storm waves and winds.

Rare / Endangered Species

State listings are taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or as with plants Florida Department of Agriculture.  Federal listings are taken from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. E= Endangered; T= Threatened; T (s/a)= Threatened due to similarity in appearance; SSC= Species of Special Concern; UR= Under review; n/a= information not available or no designation listed

Geomorphic Features

From the St. Johns River to the Santee River in South Carolina, the coast is known as the "Sea Islands". This name is derived from the barrier chain, which is separated from the mainland by meandering tidal creeks resulting from fluvial and tidal sedimentation in derelict lagoons or coastal-parallel marshes between beach ridges. These aquatic preserves are a unique Florida representative of the "Sea Islands". A chain of sandy barrier islands, occasional inlets, and a combination of sounds, rivers, and extensive coastal marshland characterize them. The preserve areas consist of vast salt marsh estuary with numerous interconnecting tidal creeks and channels as well as minor uplands (tree islands).

The topography of the area is composed of ancient marine terraces, which tend to be parallel to the present Atlantic shoreline and become progressively higher from east to west. The level plains of the terraces were modified or destroyed by stream erosion overtime.

The salt marsh habitat predominates in these aquatic preserves. Typical of north Florida and south Georgia, these shallow sheltered salt marsh areas behind barrier islands are crisscrossed with numerous sediment-laden tidal creeks and channels.

Archaeological Features

The coastal area of northeast Florida has over 100 identified sites of archaeological and cultural significance. The earliest occupation of the area dates back to 3500 BC. The early inhabitants were the Timucuan Indians who occupied southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida. Of these eastern Timucuan tribes, the best known were the Saturiwa, occupying the lower course of the St. Johns River and the coastal area from the mouth of the St., Marys to below St. Augustine. Their predominance in these coastal areas attest to the appeal that the productive marshes, offshore waters, and numerous inlets and natural ports has to its inhabitants. Food remains from midden deposits in the area indicate that sheepshead, mullet, black drum, and catfish were the most utilized fish. Shellfish included clams, mussels, oysters, and whelks.

Fort Clinch in Fernandina, is one of the historical sites which border the Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve. Fort Clinch is the original third system (masonry) fortification. Its construction started in 1847 and continued for 20 years. The Confederacy held the fort from the beginning of the Civil War until March 3, 1862 when the Union took the fort and held it until the end of the war. Today, the fort is a living museum with guided tours and reenactments.

Fort George Island is within the boundary of the Nassau - St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserve. Humans have taken advantage of the islands resources for over 5000 years. From the early Timucuan Saturiwa Indians who called the island Alimacani, to the Europeans arrival and colonization, to the Plantation dominant economy and subsequent planned development, to finally Public ownership. Shell middens from Indian settlements, Fort St. George built in 1736, Kingsley plantation from the mid 1800s, and the 1928 built Ribault Clubhouse are just some of the significant sites on the island.

Uses

Fishing, hunting, shellfishing, boating, swimming, diving, bird watching and other related activities are available for public use dependent on rules and regulations, closed areas, and seasons.

Management Status

Administrative support is provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas.

References

Nassau River, St. Johns River Marshes, and Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserves Management Plan

Fort George Island State Cultural Site, The Talbot Island State Parks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks.