Two waterways about a half hour apart in east Hillsborough are giving paddlers opposite problems this month. At Alderman's Ford Conservation Park in Lithia, the canoe launch is closed because the Alafia River is running too high. At Edward Medard Conservation Park near Plant City, the boat ramp is closed because the reservoir is too low.
Both of these levels are published online, and you can see the readings before you strap a kayak to the roof.
What the Rain Did to the Alafia in Mid-October
October has been wet. The Southwest Florida Water Management District's structure report from Oct. 16 shows 5.16 inches of rain across its Central region from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15. That is 177% of the region's average for the whole month, and the month was only half over. That figure covers a large region, not just the Alafia watershed, but it shows how wet things were.
The river reacted. The USGS gauge on the Alafia at Lithia Pinecrest Road read 7.61 feet at 10:35 a.m. on Oct. 13. By 9 p.m. on Oct. 16, it had dropped to 5.78 feet. The gauge's action stage is 11 feet, so both readings were well below official concern. A river can sit far below action stage and still be too pushy for a family in rental canoes.
The county updated its Alderman's Ford closure notice on Oct. 12, one day before that higher reading. The river had come down by Oct. 16, but the notice is the county's call, so check the park page before you go.
The 7-Foot Line on River Drive
The most practical number on the corridor comes from a business. Alafia River Kayak & Canoe, at 4419 River Dr. in Valrico, links straight to NOAA's Lithia gauge page from its online profile. The link carries this note: "Closed When Above 7 Ft Due To Strong Currents."
Compare that cutoff with the USGS readings above. On Oct. 13 the river was over 7 feet, and by Oct. 16 it was well under. Your own paddle plans can follow the same rule. If the gauge is climbing past 7 feet midweek, a Saturday on the river is unlikely. If it's falling back through the 5s and 6s, it may be on.
The business has been on the river a long time. The Osprey Observer profiled Alafia River Canoe Rentals in 2023 as a source for the river for nearly 50 years. That story also advised calling ahead to check whether the river was navigable. That advice still holds. The number is 813-689-8645, and the rental agreement is an online form to fill out before launch.
Alderman's Ford is still worth a stop while the launch is closed. The canoe launch entrance at 9625 Canoe Launch Loop opens daily at 7 a.m. so joggers and walkers can get in early. The park's main draw is a 1.9-mile paved loop along the north and south prongs of the Alafia, connected by boardwalk and footbridges through cypress and oak. Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot handheld leash, but not on the boardwalk.
Medard Has the Opposite Problem
Twenty-odd miles north, Medard Reservoir has been low by design for more than a year. The Osprey Observer reported in June 2025 that the county closed the boat ramp starting June 9. The district had lowered the 700-acre reservoir a few feet to test a drainage system installed in 2022. The paper quoted the district: "The reservoir may be lowered for an extended period of time."
The district's Oct. 16, 2026 structure report shows the reservoir is still low. It put Medard at 55.34 feet, below its listed operational low of 56.6 feet and down 0.12 feet in 24 hours. October's rain filled the Alafia, but it hasn't refilled Medard.
Hillsborough County's park page still lists the ramp as closed until the water is safe for boats. It also says canoe and kayak access should not be affected. That makes Medard the paddling backup when the Alafia is too high. Canoes and kayaks rent at the entry station, and a local rental for up to four hours costs $25. To get updates as they're posted, sign up for the district's email list and choose "District - Medard Reservoir, Dam and Structure."
For powerboats, the Osprey Observer named other county ramps:
- Alafia River Boat Ramp, 4020 Alafia Blvd., Brandon
- Riverview Civic Center Boat Ramp, 11020 Park Dr., Riverview
- Williams Park Boat Ramp, 9425 U.S. 41, Riverview
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park Boat Ramp, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
- Baker Creek Boat Ramp, 12095 Thonotosassa Road, for Lake Thonotosassa
On the Bike Trails, the Holdup Is Repair Work
Water isn't the only thing changing the map at Alafia River State Park. Since Aug. 5, 2026, the Gravitron, Lost Meadow and Meadows bike trails have been closed for repair. Stardust and all other trail areas are open. The park is a reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the steepest elevation changes in Florida. It also has 20 miles of hilly trails for hikers and equestrians, so plenty is still open to ride or walk.
The volunteers doing the work have shared a target. In a "Quick Meadows Update" posted about a month ago and reshared on alafiatrails.com, the Alafia Trail Crew said a rider had donated trail armor. The trail still needed reshaping to make it more sustainable before the armor could go down, and the crew was waiting on hardware and equipment. "As far as a timeframe, prior to Halloween is our goal," the crew wrote. That's a goal, and the state park's notice still lists all three trails as closed. Check the park page the weekend before Halloween.
A few things to know before heading out to Alafia River State Park:
- Entrance: The main entrance is at 14326 S. County Road 39 in Lithia. Some map apps send drivers to Jameson Road, which is not the entrance.
- Hours and fee: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day of the year, $5 per vehicle.
- Bike shop: University Bicycle Center at Alafia rents premium mountain bikes, pedal-assist e-bikes and kids' bikes, and handles walk-in repairs. It's open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. The phone is 813-459-8293.
The One Spot Where Water Level Doesn't Matter
Lithia Springs Conservation Park, at 3932 Lithia Springs Road, is the steady one. The spring flows year-round into the Alafia at 72 degrees. A rising river can close a canoe launch upstream, but it doesn't change the spring's temperature. As of mid-October, the county's page lists two swim sessions a day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m., each capped at 200 swimmers. The area may close for thunder, lightning or bad weather. The county says the swimming area reaches capacity on weekends. Swim bands are sold only at the park, for guests who are there, and sales stop one hour before the area closes. The park brochure lists fall and winter hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with $2 per vehicle for entry and $2 per person to swim.
Saturday, Oct. 24, at Both Ends of the Day
The two scheduled outings this week happen to fit the conditions. One is at the low reservoir and the other is at the spring, and both are on Saturday.
- 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Medard. The county lists a Birding Hike with the Audubon Society at Edward Medard Conservation Park. It costs $5, preregistration is required, and the group meets at the trailhead parking area and kiosk. The park's 3-mile trail runs through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks, and an observation platform overlooks the reservoir.
- 6 to 8 p.m., Lithia Springs. The Evening Swim at Lithia Springs starts with a short ranger-led program, followed by a swim lit by tiki torches and underwater lights. It costs $7 per person plus the $2 entry fee per car, which covers up to eight people. Swimmers must be 8 or older, and anyone under 18 needs an adult with them. Registration is required, the limit is 80 people, and you must arrive by 6:15 p.m. to take part. Bring a bathing suit and towel. Food, drinks and animals aren't allowed in the spring area, and the event could be canceled for weather.
Before Saturday, check three pages: the USGS or NOAA Lithia gauge, the Alderman's Ford announcement and the Alafia River State Park notice. Those three will tell you how much of the corridor is open.
If spending a weekend on the Alafia has you thinking about living closer to Lithia, Valrico or Riverview, David Latscha with Harness Horizon Ventures LLC can walk you through the communities near these parks and what's for sale now. Let's Connect.
