Upper Basin: St. Johns River

Upper Basin: Headwaters of the St. Johns River

The Upper Basin of the St. Johns River is the area from its Headwaters in Blue Cypress Lake, to the confluence of the St. Johns and Econlockhatchee River in east-central Florida.

Our river begins its 310-mile journey at its Headwaters, or source, on Blue Cypress Lake in Indian River County, FL (about 30 miles west of Vero Beach, FL). This section of the river is characterized by indistinct banks, many swamps and shallow lakes – making it the hardest area to navigate as there is no main channel. Here, our river’s flow is fed by rainwater and some springs. The larger lakes in the upper basin include: Lake Hell ‘n Blazes, Sawgrass Lake, Lake Washington, Lake Winder, Lake Poinsett, Ruth Lake, Puzzle Lake, and Lake Harney.