A dam within the refuge, crossed by the Florida Trail, creates the 245-acre (99 ha)[2]impoundment known as the East River Pool, with a boat ramp allowing access by canoes and small boats. Oyster bars are abundant around the mouth of the river.[3]
During the early 19th century, salt works were established along the East River, and were destroyed by a tropical storm in June 1863.[4] Later during the American Civil War, a small skirmish was fought between Union and Confederate troops along the East River on March 3–5, 1865, resulting in the capture of the East River Bridge by Union forces prior to the Battle of Natural Bridge.
^U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National MapArchived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 18, 2011
^St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, January 2006
