In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson initiated the construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, a 200 mile long, 30′ deep canal that would connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Gulf of Mexico. It also prevents a winter migration of manatees to Silver Springs, which would be an enormous tourism draw for Marion County, he said. The depth is also deeper in the waterway, not considered the historic channel. Discovering & remembering the history of the Ocklawaha River and how we can restore the environment by opening the Rodham Dam. A key employer is a pulp and paper mill. It was flowing from a small, eroded tree stump. The Silver River flows into the Ocklawaha near Ray Wayside Park; the influx of water from the first-magnitude Silver Spring changes the flow from slow to fast-flowing river. Depth can go from 4″ to around 7′ once in the main channel. This was the route we chose. Fed by springs, the Ocklawaha’s current was invisible. Save my name, email, and site URL in my browser for next time I post a comment. When trying to locate the springs, we used the far southern shore is a guide. The river bottom was white sand or a maze of dark trunks of trees that had tipped over. Gators were prevalent everywhere, small and large, on the banks, on the water lettuce clogs and swimming ahead of us. Required fields are marked *. Several springs known as ‘hidden’ or ‘lost’ springs’ are also now revealed with the lower water level and today’s paddle takes Florida Paddle Notes to a few of these springs. These boats were small and narrow in order to navigate the many twisting turns. Check the River Locator Map or Click the link below for a local map and then use zoom and panning arrows to explore the area. First option is to go West and cross the ‘sandbar’ against the current, to get into the Ocklawaha channel and paddle with the current on the Ocklawaha, or paddle East with the current, 1.37 miles, reaching the Historic original channel of the Ocklawaha River. The Ocklawaha River, the largest tributary of the St. Johns River is one the primary rivers in the state of Florida. In January of 1971 a federal judge issued an injunction that stopped construction of the canal. River and Stream Fishing Cast for bass in the free-flowing Ocklawaha, or try your luck from your kayak adrift down Alexander Run. The Ocklawaha and Silver rivers offer us a unique glimpse into our past that must be protected for future generations to cherish. Starting in September and lasting until March 2016, the Rodman reservoir on the Okhlawaha River is drawn down, the river-lake levels lowered substantially. WUSF and Health News Florida are answering your questions. Thank you for sharing this insight on a unique part of Florida. But counter-protests from bass fisherman gained traction. For a time, it appeared the movement would prevail. Water rushes from the downstream side of Rodman Dam along the Ocklawaha River. In the 2018 election, Putnam backed the Republican winner, Ron DeSantis, while 63 percent of Alachua votes were for Democrat Andrew Gillum. The dam blocks nearly all of the historic migrations of eels, rays, American shad, striped bass and channel catfish, species that are instrumental in a healthy ecology of Silver Springs, Knight said. Rather than clearing away forest for the reservoir, the crawler flattened but also left millions of standing trees. “Every day that dam is in place it is damaging the St. Johns River,” Rinaman said. The Springs of the Ocklawaha River, Florida: Rodman Dam to Eureka Dam, Searching for—and Finally Finding—Cannon Springs, by Whitney Sanford, Withlacoochee River (S) Hwy 200 to Hwy 41. Carr, director of an entomology lab at the University of Florida, is the granddaughter of Marjorie Carr. Having paddled three sections of the Ocklawaha and read Ditch of Dreams, this paddle is a must – thanks for the guidance and information. During periods of low water in the reservoir, water flows toward the northwest for approximately 0.75 mile to the Ocklawaha River. The Rodman dam, built for a 50-year life, was finished 52 years ago. Description. Every several years, authorities must dump the artificial lake to flush out a nonstop growth of muck and weeds. The canal entrance to the spring is located 2.1 miles south of Payne’s Landing and it is a 1/4 mile paddle to the spring. After the construction of the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam, fish species like these disappeared or were greatly reduced in Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers. The original Ocklawaha River channel is out there, among hundreds of dead cypress trees! It is moving to say the least. Want to learn more about the vaccine? We then paddled on the boating channel, still heading East until we reached the main river. Cannon Springs is a third-magnitude spring and is normally submerged by the Rodman Reservoir. “Marjorie Carr’s opposition to it was utterly fantastic,” wrote Nathaniel Reed, one of Florida’s most lauded conservation leaders, in his book of essays, “Travels on the Green Highway.” “She really believed. Historically, Blue Spring emptied to the Ocklawaha River via Indian Creek, a five-mile clear spring run, just upstream of the current location of the Rodman Dam. The source of the Ocklawaha is Lake Griffin, the final lake of the Harris Chain. In the 2010 governor’s race, Putnam voters strongly supported the Republican winner, Rick Scott, while Alachua favored the Democrat, Alex Sink. Looking at the paddle map above, you will see we paddled about a 1/4 mile to our left ( East ) and crossed over. “Silver is dying,” Knight said. The upper watershed for the Ocklawaha River includes the … Marjorie Harris Carr, past president of Florida Defenders of the Environment played a key role in fighting against the continuing of The Florida Barge Canal and its effect passing through the Ocklawaha River. Every several years, authorities must dump the … He accuses opponents of grudges. Current – Tidal: The current was slow in the reservoir area but definitely 3 mph on our paddle from Payne’s Landing to Cannon Spring. Any form of copyright infringement or theft of content from floridapaddlenotes.com is subject to DMCA takedown notice and or legal action. Unless you have paddled this section before, during a drawdown, some pre-planning is necessary to maneuver the boat lane and cross over into the river channel. Your email address will not be published. “We may bump a stump or two,” Miller said. Lawton Chiles was authorizing steps for river restoration. With two major rivers and several large streams flowing through the Ocala National Forest, both bank fishing and fishing from your watercraft - motorized or not - can be enjoyed on our subtropical waterways. Paddle Distance: We paddled 4.12 miles on the original Ocklawaha channel and also paddled 4.3 miles revisiting Cannon Springs for a total of 8.42 miles. It was the first time I had been. Maneuvering the ‘Sandbars’…once launched there are sandbars present and you will need to maneuver these to eventually get to the old Ocklawaha channel. Width and Depth: The width is deceiving due to the drawdown. Kingfishers whizzed by and wood storks stalked the river’s shallows. - Jeff Sowards, Aquatic Preserve Manager Because of its location in the central highlands and its protection from geological fluctuations in sea level, the Ocklawaha River is one of the oldest rivers in Florida.The dark-water Ocklawaha, spring-run “For Silver Springs to be restored, the Ocklawaha needs to be restored.”. Cannon Springs has spent a half-century entombed by a government blunder of a dam and reservoir on the Ocklawaha River. Parts of the lake were blanketed with floating weeds that he had to plow through. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. The dam controversy is local, intimate and infused with class struggle: urban vs. rural, hunting vs. bird-watching, and Trump vs. Biden. Every several years, authorities must dump the artificial lake to flush out a nonstop growth of muck and weeds. The Hart Line was the most popular, as was Lucas Line as well. On our way back, after leaving the river, we paddled West just a bit and crossed the sandbar through a very shallow and, Ocklawaha River – Paynes Landing to Orange Springs. Florida Defenders of the Environment dismissed Scott as one of the state’s worst governors on environmental issues. This environmentally hazardous project was protest vehemently! The 74-mile river begins west of Orlando, extends north, takes in the powerful current of Silver Springs, then turns east to join the St. Johns River. FPTA is committed to developing paddling trails, protecting the environment along those trails, and serving as a resource and voice for paddlers. “They treat it as their own fishbowl,” said Jennifer Carr, 33, of the dam’s supporters. There was a marker, a Red Solo Cup stuck on a cypress stump, that marked the location of the run to. This trip begins with a brief, fifteen minute float down the Silver river to it’s confluence with the Ocklawaha. I enjoyed the info on your paddle and the photos. (Note: the marker is NOT our meeting place, but a nearby landmark. During the 1800’s and early 1900’s, steamboats populated the winding river, bringing folks from Palatka to Silver Springs. Removing the dam to permanently uncover the lost springs and 7,500 acres of forested wetlands is one of Florida’s earliest, formally dedicated environmental quests that has a battle cry: “Free the Ocklawaha.”, “It’s shorthand for allowing the Ocklawaha to function as a natural river,” said Richard Hamann, a longtime advocate for the river’s restoration and a former director and professor at the Center for Governmental Responsibility at the University of Florida College of Law. She contends that restoring the Ocklawaha’s free flow is the most important step available for shoring up the distressed health of the lower and estuary portion of the St. Johns River, including through Jacksonville. The Ocklawaha River watershed includes parts of the Green Swamp, most of Lake County, and portions of Marion, Alachua and Putnam counties. In the mid-1990s, then-Gov. A must do paddle for those who have never experienced a Rodman Drawdown! The 74-mile-long (119 km) Ocklawaha River flows north from central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka. Every several years, authorities must dump the artificial lake to flush out a nonstop growth of muck and weeds. “A lot of people have spent so much time, energy and money trying to correct this error that was made in the 1960s.”. Ocklawaha River – Rodman Reservoir Drawdown, once launched there are sandbars present and you will need to maneuver these to eventually get to the old Ocklawaha channel. Its name is a corruption of ak-lowahe, Creek for "muddy". There is a wide utility easement up the hill, that allowed be to coordinate my position in relation to the springs which I had mapped out prior to paddling. His devotion to it was unmistakable during a boating tour this summer. To Miller, it’s nature’s playground paradise. Join us with Captain Tom & Debbie on a specialized Eco-Tour of the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers. Such poor judgement or perhaps a lack of awareness in destroying such an ecosystem. Cannon Springs has spent a half-century entombed by a government blunder of a dam and reservoir on the Ocklawaha River. That allow manatee's free access to the River Springs will have a much greater economic benefit. There are Port-a-Potties and ample parking with a nice ramp. The 74 mile Ocklawaha River is a must paddle for those interested in ‘Old Florida’. Neighboring Alachua County is where Majorie Carr lived and is home to most Florida Defenders of the Environment leaders and members. Fish, manatees and turtles appeared to hover in the air. It’s that final, 20-mile bend to the east where the Ocklawaha met with disaster. The Ocklawaha River holds many secrets: geologic secrets in the twenty springs that are hidden under waters held back by the dam, archeological records left by those that first hunted along its banks to the eventual displacement of the Seminoles, and historic secrets from before the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. Kenwood Park has a nice launch when there is not a drawdown. It had to be amazingly beautiful! A lot of people began to really believe.”. It’s main source is Lake Griffin, part of the Harris chain of lakes in Lake County, Florida. But anglers’ opposition to dam removal has been potent. The Ocklawaha River, which borders the Ocala National Forest on the west and north, is the largest tributary of the St. Johns River. The current president, Steve Miller, a construction company project manager, grew up near the reservoir. The spring is visible from the surface and a good landmark is the leaning tree on shore. Welcome to the Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort Canoeing, Kayaking and Cabin Rental in Florida. For centuries, the Ocklawaha has been the topic of discussion among state and federal politicians. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would fix that by turning the slender river into a wide reservoir. The Dam prevents migration of these fish between their feeding and breeding grounds from Silver Springs to the Atlantic Ocean. The Ocklawaha Fishing Story The Ocklawaha River was a magnificent fishing area prior to Rodman/Kirkpatrick dam construction. Location: The ‘Lower’ Ocklawaha River is usually considered the section from the Eureka Dam on Hwy 316 East of Ft. McCoy, to its confluence with the St. Johns River. “We will, of course, continue to work closely with interested stakeholders to ensure that all perspectives are considered,” said DeSantis’ science officer, Thomas Frazier. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online at WUSF.org/ways-to-support. As mentioned above we headed east in the boating channel and entered the Ocklawaha channel 1.37 miles from the launch. Difficulty: Easy to moderate…what makes paddling during a drawdown is the very shallow water before accessing the main Ocklawaha River channel, the numerous stumps and branches encountered before and after leaving the main channel. The drawdown exposes the original Ocklawaha River channel along with the remains of hundreds of Cypress tree stumps that once lined the banks of the river. We did notice several spots of activity along the river as we paddled toward Catfish Spring, which is marked with a crab crap float. Rest Areas: There are several places to pull onto shore on this paddle, especially heading toward Cannon Spring…a nice landing is a Tobacco Patch Landing. Her group contends that restoring the Ocklawaha River would cost almost nothing – compared with other restoration projects and compared to the ongoing cost of maintaining the dam and reservoir. It is definitely a very unique paddle, maneuvering it may be tricky for the first time unless you can get a current satellite image of the area. Cannon Springs has spent a half-century entombed by a government blunder of a dam and reservoir on the Ocklawaha River. 1.866.236.4606 15260 N.E. Every several years, authorities must dump the artificial lake to … Abutting most of the dam and reservoir is Putnam County, which has a declining population of about 75,000 and some of the worst poverty levels in the state. Rodman Reservoir is currently in a drawdown, where the water level goes from an average of 18′ – 20′ down to approximately 11′. We may have the opportunity to see alligators, turtles, wild monkeys, snakes, otters, deer, manatee, a variety of birds and native plants. The group had hoped for but has gotten little engagement, other than a few talks, with DeSantis’ administration. Her group has fought 51 years for its dismantling to restore a free-flowing Ocklawaha from Silver Springs to the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean. These discussions began in the early 1900 the Ocklawaha was as when n important shipping route. Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort, Fort Mc Coy: See 46 traveler reviews, 13 candid photos, and great deals for Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort, ranked #1 … Sign up to receive an email notice when new adventures are posted! This was immediately followed by President Richard Nixon officially halting construction due to the environmental damage it would cause. “There isn’t a question about the science behind restoring the Ocklawaha. But the Rodman Dam and Reservoir had obliterated 16 miles of magnificence. On many of today’s maps several of the landings where the steamboats picked up passengers are still listed. A dam was built there to be part of a 110-mile shortcut for coal barges across the state’s peninsula, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. 1955 Daytona Beach News Journal – “Norma Clifton of Daytona Beach was over at the junction of the two rivers Friday and reported seeing large catches of … Side Paddles: Cannon Spring is a must paddle during this drawdown. As long as we were at the river we finished up our paddle near the reservoir, drove South to Payne’s Landing. In 1971, President Richard Nixon halted the canal as needless for shipping and ruinous for Florida’s environment. Breaching Rodman dam will reveal 20 lost springs of the Ocklawaha River. The key tributary to the Ocklawaha is the Silver River, which originates in Silver Springs, Fl. Whether you stay in one of our luxury log cabins or camp on our grounds you'll find a courteous, professional staff committed to meeting your every need. We had a blast!!! This is a beautiful spring that goes unnoticed most of the time because it is usually covered with several feet of water and becomes visible during the drawdown. The county has a strong economic base with the University of Florida in Gainesville. The ongoing, ecological price of not removing the dam has been high, said Lisa Rinaman, leader of the St. Johns Riverkeeper group. Paddling this section of the Ocklawaha River gives a sense of amazement, awe, sadness and anger. “There’s some selfishness going on in my opinion.”. The Great Florida Riverway, a vast 217-mile three-river system is comprised of the Ocklawaha River, Silver Springs and the Silver River, and the lower St. Johns River. We then paddled on the boating channel, still heading East until we reached the main river. Into the Silver River, ” Rinaman said weeds that he had to plow.! Awareness in destroying such an ecosystem state and ocklawaha river springs politicians be my holy grail restore Silver Springs or the. 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