The Alafia River Watershed Excursion

Map of the watershed

Bone Valley
Learn about the geology of these phosphate-laden lowlands, rich in fossil remains from prehistoric Florida.
South Prong
Just southwest of the town of Mulberry, networks of small creeks and seasonal wetlands divide into two major tributaries: the Alafia’s North Prong and South Prong.
North Prong
Midway between Mulberry and Brandon, Howell Branch and English Creek meet and form the North Prong, which wanders south, then turns west.
Alderman’s Ford
At historic Alderman’s Ford, among the farms and cattle ranches of Lithia, the North and South prongs meet. From there, in its fullness, the Alafia flows northwest.
Medard Park
To the north, a modest tributary called the Little Alafia passes through Edward Medard Park, replenishing the reservoir along the way. The Little Alafia merges with Turkey Creek and joins the main river at its northernmost meander.
Lithia Springs
The Alafia River courses west, fed by Buckhorn and Lithia Springs, then Little Fish Hawk, Fish Hawk, Bell and Rice creeks. As the river winds past the town of Gibsonton, Bullfrog Creek rises to meet it, but turns west at the last moment, charting a parallel course to Hillsborough Bay.
Birds of the Banks
Meet a few of the 30,000 birds that nest on the Alafia Banks — two historic spoil islands just inside the bay. These islands are considered one of the nation's most productive colonies for coastal nesting birds.
Schultz Preserve
See how 120 acres of land were restored to wetlands and artificial reefs of this recreation property in Port Redwing.
Reservoir
When full, the reservoir can provide 25 percent of the Tampa Bay area’s water needs for more than six months — that’s 15 billion gallons!

What’s a Watershed?

A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast. This 270,000-acre watershed drains to the Alafia River and eventually to Tampa Bay.

Land and Water

The land and water share an intimate connection — as water drains to lower terrain it carries pollutants and contaminants with it. This means our activities within the watershed eventually impact the river.

Credits Areas to explore

The Alafia River Watershed Excursion

Map of the watershed

What’s a Watershed?

Land and Water

→ Onward: Geology