Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Project Spotlights

"A trip on the Yellow River is like going back in time. Its tall-forested banks, pristine water quality and productive fishing create a place one can go to be completely surrounded by nature. The Yellow River Preserve is one of Florida’s most precious contributions it has for its future generations."

Ernie Rivers,
River Keeper and Bream Fisherman Associate of Northwest Florida

Shoreline of the Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Key Accomplishments

A study of the Gulf sturgeon within the Yellow River completed in November 2001 by the Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserve staff identified spawning habitats and migratory patterns of this species adding to our knowledge of the preserve’s ecological value . This was in conjunction with a study concerning a proposed dam on the Yellow River. Sturgeon eggs have since been found to occur above the proposed dam site.
A shoreline restoration project along the eastern shore of Garcon Point was completed in 2002. Due to erosion most of the shoreline plants have been removed, but some emergent vegetation still remains. Restoration works will re-establish vegetation within the area to further reduce accelerated erosion within this area of the shoreline.

Restoration of the shoreline

A project to restore oyster reefs within the preserve using re-cycled oyster shells will begin this spring. The Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve staff will partner with the DEP’s Northwest District restoration section and the Santa Rosa County Sea Grant office to monitor biological recruitment of the restored oyster reefs. Santa Rosa county school children will assist with the monitoring, learning scientific techniques and water quality criteria.
Three species of concern: Gulf salt marsh snake, diamondback terrapin and salt marsh top minnow will be inventoried and assessed within the preserve. This will be accomplished by partnering with the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to determine the presence of these species since they serve as biological indicators of the salt marsh, harbingering the effects of man’s activities both upstream and within the salt marsh.
Staff participate in an annual Seagrass Awareness Festival, manning touch tanks to allow the public to interact with the animals commonly found in seagrass beds.

Quick Facts about Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Map of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Location:

Santa Rosa County

Acreage

16,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Shelley Alexander
Aquatic Preserve Manager
1600 Garcon Point Road
Milton, FL 32583
850-983-5359

Download a printable version of this page.

Further information about Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan

Cypress trees on the shore, reflected in the water

Cypress trees on the shore

Shorebirds in the marsh

Alligator snapping turtle

Alligator snapping turtle caught while netting for sturgeon

Forested shoreline of the preserve

Forested wetlands comprise a lot of the shoreline

There are over 3,000 acres of salt- and fresh-water marshes and approximately 5,000 acres of forested wetlands which provide filtration from pollutants and serve as natural flood control.
At least 101 species of fish occur in the Florida portion of the Yellow River system, including Blackwater Bay. Of the species recorded, 33 are marine or brackish water forms.
The freshwater fisheries of the Yellow and Blackwater Rivers are two of the most biological diverse in the state of Florida due to the large coverage of forested wetlands, marshes and grassbeds that encompass these watersheds with little agriculture or residential impacts.
The most popular recreational activity within the preserve is fishing. Brim and striped bass are a popular catch.
Over 70% of commercially important fish and shellfish species rely on estuaries at some stage of their lives.

Last updated: June 20, 2008