On day four of Expedition: Kissimmee River, the team started out from Cypress Lake campground and decided to split up.
“They’re attempting, instead of going down the Hatchineha Canal, they wanted to go through Reedy Creek down to Dead River, which leads you to Lake Hatchineha also,” said Vince Matero of the South Florida Water Management District.
Community representative Mike Jones said the kayakers who branched off wanted to find out if kayaks can navigate the Dead River and check navigation so future kayakers can find their way. But lower water levels, the result of drought and flood control, made it difficult too find the river opening, until Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer Matt Ervin helped them navigate.
“But you could easily turn the wrong way and end up in the middle of a swamp and then not know which way is which,” Ervin said.
Willows make the opening to the Dead River difficult to navigate. A kayak can do it, but not much else.
“There’ve been people killed on air boats and stuff in that area,” Ervin said. “It’s a real dangerous area to be in. A lot of blind man’s curves.”
Overall, the kayakers called the detour a success.
“Very pleasant,” Jones said. “Very pleasant. A lot to see. Not a problem with the kayaks. Plenty of water, occasionally you might have to walk a little.”
Day four ended at Camp Mack, between Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee. On day five, the team will begin hiking.