The gorgeous river that runs through eight counties, five of which are in our service area, is named for your cooperative. Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Polk, and Sumter are the counties involved. It’s also one among the world’s few rivers that runs from south to north. The Withlacoochee River begins in the Green Swamp and runs for 141 miles until spilling into the Gulf of Mexico near Yankeetown.
The Creek, one of Florida’s Native American tribes, gave the area the name “Withlacoochee.”
Its name means “Little Big Water,” which makes sense given that floods and droughts have caused water levels to rise and fall numerous times throughout its history.
Another interpretation is “crooked river,” which represents the river’s twists and turns on its route to the Gulf of Mexico.
The river’s name was chosen because it was a common thread that ran across our original service areas of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties when WREC was founded on August 20, 1941.
However, only a few days after our founding, we had our first ‘drought,’ as World War II was declared, and all of our Rural Electric Administrative loans were suspended until the war ended in 1945.
The first Member was linked on April 4, 1947, after the additional loans were granted in 1945, and a ‘flood’ of new Members began to grow.
WREC now has more than 195,000 active members.
WREC is unique among electric utilities in that it is a not-for-profit organization that adheres to the seven Cooperative principles in order to benefit both our members and our community.
The following are the principles and their meanings:
- Membership is both voluntary and open (Anyone can join a Co-op without discrimination)
- Control by Democratic Members (Members decide who and how the Co-op is run)
- Economic Participation of Members (All Co-op Members invest in their Cooperative and benefit from it)
- Independence and autonomy (In both thoughts and action)
- Information, education, and training (Provided so Members can contribute effectively to the success of their Co-op)
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives is a term used to describe how cooperatives work together (Working together is the best strategy to empower Members, build a better Co-op economy, and improve services)
- Community Concerns (Co-ops are community-minded, and contribute by investing locally, including our Operation Round-up program, Education Foundation, and many other community organizations)
The Withlacoochee River and your Cooperative both assist the areas in which they operate. The river provides water and food to a large and diversified environment, which includes the endangered Florida scrub-jay bird. Your Cooperative provides electricity to a broad membership with the goal of making their lives easier and more comfortable. We are both important strands in the fabric that holds our community together.
What does Withlacoochee charge per kilowatt-hour?
The average residential electricity price per kilowatt hour at Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative is 11.41 cents per kilowatt hour.
Withlacoochee Electric is owned by who?
Your Cooperative’s wholesale energy source is Seminole Electric Cooperative, based in Tampa. Seminole is also a not-for-profit cooperative that gives back to its members.
Your Cooperative and eight other energy distribution cooperatives from the Georgia line to the Everglades own Seminole Electric. Through almost 800,000 meters in 42 counties, these distribution cooperatives offer power to more than 1.7 million individuals and companies across the state.
Seminole owns and runs power plants and negotiates short and long-term energy contracts with other generators and marketers. It also owns and manages transmission infrastructure that connect Seminole’s power grid to Florida’s power grid.
- More than 750,000 Seminole members are served by Seminole.
- WREC and eight other distribution cooperatives own Seminole.
- More than 350 miles of transmission line are owned and maintained by Seminole.
Is Withlacoochee River Electric up and running right now?
To access current billing and payment information, account history, and enrollment options for paperless E-Billing, Surge Stopper, Operation Round-Up, and Electronic Fund Transfer, register for online access or log in (EFT).
(Please use the Street Light Repair or Report an Outage forms to report an outage.) Please use the Connect Service Form to connect service. SmartHub can be used to submit service transfer and disconnect requests; click “Report an Issue/Inquiry,” then pick “Transfer Service” or “Disconnect Service” as a reason.)
Is Withlacoochee Electric a costly option?
At 11.405 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), WREC is below the national average of 13.19 cents per kWh. Louisiana has the lowest rate of 9.370 cents per kWh, while Hawaii has the highest rate of 32.76 cents per kWh. Beginning in 2021 on a Positive Note!
The Withlacoochee River is located in what county?
The Withlacoochee River is a river that starts in Georgia, just northwest of Nashville. It flows south through Berrien County, where it meets the New River and forms part of the Berrien-Cook county line. It then flows south into Georgia’s Lowndes County. The Little River joins the Withlacoochee River at Troupville, Georgia, and flows south, forming part of the border between Lowndes and Brooks counties in Georgia. After that, the river travels into Florida for 1.34 miles before returning to Georgia for another 2.44 miles. It then returns to Florida, marking the northeast and western boundaries of Madison and Hamilton counties, until merging with the Suwannee River at Suwannee River State Park west of Live Oak. The river stretches for 115 miles (185 kilometers). It’s thought to be the inspiration for the same-named river in central Florida.
Is the Withlacoochee River home to any alligators?
The name Withlacoochee comes from a Creek Indian word that means “Little Big Water,” which is a good description of the river’s natural highs and lows.
You’ll observe huge cypress trees shading an abundance of wildlife as you drive down the Withlacoochee. Osprey, hawks, alligators, turtles, and other wildlife can be seen. You’ll see antique bridges and railway pilings, which serve as reminders of the river’s former industrial uses. The river is appreciated for its ecological and hydrological importance to the region, in addition to its beauty.