Rains necessitate temporary WMA road closures

For immediate release: October 11, 2011
Media contact: Joy Hill, 352-258-3428

Rains necessitate temporary WMA road closures

The recent torrential rains in parts of Central Florida have created problems for some roads in the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the Little Big Econ WMA in eastern Orange County and Three Lakes WMA and Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA in Osceola County, causing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to close some roads temporarily to vehicular traffic. Hunters and others wishing to use the WMAs should call the FWC’s Ocala office at 352-732-1225 for updates and current conditions.
In Tosohatchee WMA the following roads have been closed to vehicular traffic through Oct. 17:

Fishhole Road from Beehead Road to Long Bluff Road. Water is flowing across Fishhole Road at Jim Creek, making the road impassable, and several other areas of Fishhole Road are washed out or flooded as well.

Lake Charlie Road will be closed south of Lake Charlie (to include Spur Road).
In Little Big Econ WMA the following road has been closed to vehicular traffic through Oct. 22:

Road 4 about three-fourths of a mile from where it ends at the Econlockhatchee River. The river has flooded across the road to a level of about 3 feet.
In Three Lakes WMA the following roads have been closed to vehicular traffic through Oct. 14:

Roads 5b, 5 (partial), 19 (partial), 18, 3, 12, 15 and the end of Long Loop. The roads are impassable and covered by water.
In Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA the following roads have been closed to vehicular traffic through Oct. 14:

The northeastern portion of Loop Road from the area known as “Hairpin Turn” to about one-quarter mile south of Yoke Branch. Deep water has made the road impassable.
In their current condition, these roads pose safety hazards and could be significantly damaged if vehicles use them right now. Biologists will monitor the roads every day and will work to reopen them as soon as possible.