Wednesday Morning Paddle in Lake Alto & Santa Fe Canal

Meet at the Lake Alto Boat Ramp parking lot at 10:00 AM to sign in and review float plan. Finish by 2pm .
Leader: Maria Fiedler
Directions: 17800 NE 134th Place, Waldo, FL 32694 is accessible from US 301 between Waldo and Orange Heights on CR 1471 -at the triangle intersection in middle of a long sweeping curve of US 301. Go north on CR 1471,park/boat ramp entrance will be on your left in a mile or two.
Description: Let’s kayak or canoe Lake Alto . We will put in at Lake Alto public boat ramp and paddle ~ ½ mile at leisurely pace towards towards Santa Fe (SF) Canal. Paddle into the shaded SF Canal and towards Little Santa Fe Lake for ~1.5 miles, then return to to Lake Alto and the public boat ramp. Out of water by 2 PM. Pack snacks/lunch/ plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. We will stop periodically to view wildlife and rest during our morning paddle.There’s usually a stiff breeze on Lake Alto but slow current,~ ½ mph, paddle within the canal.
“Lake Alto has surface area of ~ 573 acres and mean depth of 13.1 ft. It flows from Lake Alto north through the Lake Alto swamp and ultimately into the Santa Fe River.”“SF Canal was dug in the early 1900’s so a steamboat could take supplies from the town of Waldo through Lake Alto, then thru 2 miles of canal into Little Lake Santa Fe, then south to Melrose thru Big Lake Santa Fe.”
General Information:Swimming area is available after the paddle near the picnic table area overlooking the lake, adjacent the boat ramp. “Alachua County Parks and Open Spaces. Pack out what you pack in. Collecting or disturbing plants, artifacts, or fossils is prohibited.
Alligators may be present. No potable water is available.
Search web “Lake Alto Park” for further information and details of interest.
Florida public waters require safety standards. It is mandatory to have a US Coast Guard-approved PFD, Personal Flotation Device, (Life Jacket) for every person on board kayak or canoe and a loud sound-making device like a whistle.” Vessels 16-26 ft require different regulations. Refer to Florida Kayak and Boat Registration laws for boats of 16-26 ft. length.
General admission: Free
Bathrooms: Yes.
Dogs allowed: No
Restricted to: Adults over 18. Experienced paddlers with strong swimming skills. FTA members only-up to 15 participants. Join by phone 877-HIKE-FLA or online at floridatrail.org/join.
RSVP to: Click red "Attend" button