Water District purchase provides public access to Holmes Creek

HAVANA - The public will have better access to pristine Holmes Creek following a purchase approved by the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently.

The 130-acre tract, purchased for $304,300 in Florida Forever funds, adjoins District land off county-maintained Johnson Road near Vernon. According to a news release, the acquisition expands protection of the Choctawhatchee/Holmes Creek Water Management Area and was purchased to mitigate for wetland impacts of two bridge replacements on State 79.

“This purchase will further protect springfed Holmes Creek from land use changes and will help preserve a priority watershed of the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management plan,” said District Executive Director Douglas E. Barr. “The Choctawhatchee River basin is the second largest floodplain in the state and the District is protecting and preserving over 62,000 acres along the river and creek, outright or as conservation easements.”

“All District conservation lands are open for public use that does not harm the resource,” said William O. “Bill” Cleckley, District Director of the Division of Land Management and Acquisition. “These activities include fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, boating, swimming and other recreational and educational activities. This parcel makes beautiful Holmes Creek more readily available for recreation and nature appreciation, expanding resources for such surrounding communities as Vernon, Bonifay and Chipley.”

Holmes Creek is fed by a remarkable 53 springs, according to an inventory conducted by District staff. Due to its undeveloped nature, it provides among the most diverse habitats and richest variety of fish and mollusks in the Choctawhatchee River basin. It is richer in freshwater snail species than any other river in the Florida Panhandle, and harbors three as yet unnamed species confined to Holmes Creek, Choctawhatchee and Chipola river drainages. It is also a migratory area for American eel and breeding area for such endangered species as Gar, Gulf sturgeon.