Tides & Towns
Big Bend · FL

Steinhatchee

A fishing and scalloping village on the Steinhatchee River.

Population
1,049 (2020 census)
County
Taylor
Across the river
Jena, in Dixie County
Tides
Two highs, two lows, uneven

Then

  1. 1800s

    Steinhatchee becomes part of the forestry trade, cutting cedar for pencils.

  2. 2023

    Hurricane Idalia brings a six-foot storm surge.

  3. 2024

    Hurricane Debby makes landfall nearby in August. In September, Hurricane Helene's surge tops 20 feet.

Now

Steinhatchee sits at the river mouth about 38 miles south of Perry, with Jena across the water. Fishing and crabbing keep the village going, and summer scallop season draws crowds.

Many houses are seasonal: about two-thirds were vacant at the 2020 census, and the median age is over 60.

On the water

From NOAA's predictions for Steinhatchee River ent., Deadman Bay, FL over the next 365 days. Heights are in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW).

Pattern
Two highs and two lows a day, one noticeably bigger than the other
Typical daily range
3.7 ft
Biggest swing
5.9 ft on Dec 25
Smallest swing
1.8 ft on May 25
Highest high
4.8 ft, Aug 2 at 2:08 PM
Lowest low
−1.6 ft, Dec 24 at 8:12 AM

4 tide stations around Steinhatchee

Sources