Pithlachascotee River

Summary

The Pithlachascotee River, often called the Cotee or "Cootie" River,[1][2][3] is a blackwater river in Pasco County, Florida.

Pithlachascotee River
"Cotee River"
The US 19 bridge over the Pithlachascotee River between Port Richey(left) and New Port Richey.
Location
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyPasco
DistrictSWFWMD
Physical characteristics
SourceStarkey park
 • locationShady Hills, Florida
 • coordinates28°22′08″N 82°31′58″W / 28.36889°N 82.53278°W / 28.36889; -82.53278
MouthGulf of Mexico
 • location
Port Richey, Florida
 • coordinates
28°16′40″N 82°44′37″W / 28.27778°N 82.74361°W / 28.27778; -82.74361
Length23 mi (37 km)
Discharge 
 • location10.5mi upstream from mouth
 • average25.42 cu ft/s (0.720 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • rightFive Mile Creek,
A view of the winding Pithlachascotee River from James E. Grey Preserve

Originating near Crews Lake, the river flows for over 23 miles (37 km)[4] to the south and west, flowing through the Starkey Wilderness Park before turning northwest through downtown New Port Richey, entering the Gulf of Mexico at Miller's Bayou. A Florida State Canoe Trail runs along the river.

On a chart representing the west coast of Florida accompanying the annual report of the U.S. Coast Survey for 1851, the name is translated as "Boat Building River". The whole word signifies the place where canoes were chopped or dug out. The Seminole used canoes dug out of cypress trunks. It is derived from the Creek pithlo (canoe), and chaskita (to chop out).[5]

List of crossings edit

Crossing Carries Image Location Coordinates
Headwaters 28°22′08″N 82°31′58″W / 28.36889°N 82.53278°W / 28.36889; -82.53278
140018   SR 52   Fivay Junction 28°19′45″N 82°32′11″W / 28.32917°N 82.53639°W / 28.32917; -82.53639
140080
140081
  SR 589
Suncoast Parkway
  28°18′33″N 82°33′01″W / 28.30917°N 82.55028°W / 28.30917; -82.55028
power line road Starkey Wilderness Park 28°17′33″N 82°35′05″W / 28.29250°N 82.58472°W / 28.29250; -82.58472
Wilderness Road Starkey Wilderness Park 28°15′25″N 82°38′35″W / 28.25694°N 82.64306°W / 28.25694; -82.64306
144048 Starkey Boulevard   New Port Richey 28°15′20″N 82°39′03″W / 28.25556°N 82.65083°W / 28.25556; -82.65083
144026
144050
  CR 1
Little Road
  New Port Richey 28°14′23″N 82°40′26″W / 28.23972°N 82.67389°W / 28.23972; -82.67389
ford? Nova Court New Port Richey 28°14′13″N 82°41′14″W / 28.23694°N 82.68722°W / 28.23694; -82.68722
144025
144049
  CR 77
Rowan Road
  New Port Richey 28°14′15″N 82°41′38″W / 28.23750°N 82.69389°W / 28.23750; -82.69389
140064 Madison Street   New Port Richey 28°14′30″N 82°42′56″W / 28.24167°N 82.71556°W / 28.24167; -82.71556
140050   CR 595
Grand Boulevard
  New Port Richey 28°14′24″N 82°43′10″W / 28.24000°N 82.71944°W / 28.24000; -82.71944
140021   CR 595A
Main Street
  New Port Richey 28°15′01″N 82°43′22″W / 28.25028°N 82.72278°W / 28.25028; -82.72278
140005   US 19   Port Richey 28°16′10″N 82°43′33″W / 28.26944°N 82.72583°W / 28.26944; -82.72583
Outflow of Miller's Bayou 28°16′21″N 82°43′40″W / 28.27250°N 82.72778°W / 28.27250; -82.72778
Mouth 28°16′40″N 82°44′37″W / 28.27778°N 82.74361°W / 28.27778; -82.74361

References edit

  1. ^ Cannon, Jeff (2009). Hudson. Images of America. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 9780738567815. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  2. ^ Ford, Norman D. (1969). Norman Ford's Florida. New York: Harian Publications. p. 180. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  3. ^ Henshall, James Alexander (1884). Camping and Cruising in Florida. Cincinnati, OH: Robert Clarke & Co. p. 230. Retrieved 2011-10-18. Cootie River.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 18, 2011
  5. ^ Simpson, J. Clarence (1956). Mark F. Boyd (ed.). Florida Place-Names of Indian Derivation. Tallahassee, Florida: Florida Geological Survey.
  • FDOT Florida Bridge Data 01-05-2010
  • USGS Real-Time Water Data for USGS 02310300 PITHLACHASCOTEE RIVER NEAR NEW PORT RICHEY FL

External links edit

  • SWFWMD: Pithlachascotee River
  • FDEP EcoSummary: Pithlachascotee River
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Pithlachascotee River improvements