Brooker Creek

This body of water is our namesake, Brooker Creek. It is a rainfed creek starting in northwest Hillsborough County. The creek meanders through suburban neighborhoods and farmland before it enters Brooker Creek Preserve. The waters that flow through this area go directly into Lake Tarpon. You can see where Brooker Creek enters Lake Tarpon at John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor. Water levels in the creek will fluctuate throughout the year with the rains. Rainy season in Florida occurs from May through October so the creek is typically pretty high during that time but can drop down to mere puddles in the drier, winter months. Curious as to why the water is so brown? It’s from all the leaves falling into the creek. Think about it like a giant cup of tea. When it rains, that water is clear, but as leaves fall into the water, tannins are released that stain the water a darker color, just like a cup of tea. So, while it looks dirty, the water here is actually pretty clean. And Brooker Creek Preserve plays a very important role in the health and quality of Lake Tarpon and its surrounding area, as this natural area helps filter and improve the water flowing into the lake.