The Wekiva River runs through Orange, Seminole, and Lake Counties in Central Florida. The upper portion is near Apopka (Wekiva Springs) and Altamonte Springs. The lower portion reaches west of Sanford. (See map).

Facts
The Wekiva River's headwaters begin at the confluence of Wekiwa Spring Run and Rock Spring Run. The Wekiva is a major tributary of the St. Johns River. Waters forming the upper reaches of the Wekiva River arise from both the Floridan aquifer in the form of clear, natural springs and from drainage of approximately 130 miles of watershed. The Little Wekiva River and Blackwater Creek are two major tributaries of the Wekiva. Blackwater Creek drains an additional 126 square miles of watershed into the lower reaches of the Wekiva, just upstream of the St. Johns River.

History
Native American Indians also valued the abundance of wildlife. They lived here before the arrival of the Spanish in 1513. Many mounds are located along the Wekiva River. The mounds or "kitchen middens" are the only visible remains of the Indians' former presence on the preserve and are protected for future archaeological investigations.

Size
Approximately 19,000 acres of submerged land

Watershed
Wekiva/Little Wekiva Basin - approximately 130 square miles Blackwater Creek Sub-Basin - approximately 126 square miles Middle St. Johns River Basin