by Jenny Carr
A free-flowing Ocklawaha River is an essential component of improving the ecological health of Silver Springs, one of the largest and most famous springs in the world that is currently suffering from excessive algae, reduced flows, and a tragic loss of biodiversity.
Since the 1970s, numerous groups have urged the removal of the Kirkpatrick (formerly Rodman) Dam and restoration of Rodman Reservoir to the Ocklawaha River floodplain because of the impact of the reservoir on the Ocklawaha River floodplain and associated ecosystems.
There is resistance to this from other groups, such as sports-fishing related organizations and businesses. The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, have an established policy that the Ocklawaha River should be “partially restored,” with the FDEP as the lead agency. However, the Legislature has not appropriated funds for this purpose. If funds are made available and permits are issued, it is the intent of the FDEP to undertake this restoration.
The Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers are critical resources to the state of Florida and DEP is committed to their protection. DEP continues to work with the SJRWMD and the FWC to maintain the ecological health and productivity of the water bodies in the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha river basins while balancing the recreational benefits for the public.
The term “partial restoration,” which was the restoration option selected by the Governor and Cabinet in 1995, is intended to restore river hydrology and floodplain function to near preconstruction conditions through breaching of the dam, with limited removal and/or alteration of structures and alteration of topography. This alternative will retrieve National Forest System lands at the lowest cost while restoring river and floodplain hydrology.
According to Florida Park Service Unit Management Plan (2017-2027) for the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation and Conservation Area, the major components of partial restoration are:
Drawdown of the reservoir to be accomplished in three phases (three years to drop from 18 feet to four feet NGVD); limited construction of channel stabilization; and erosion control structures in the Ocklawaha River.
Limited planting of native plant species to provide for erosion control.
Partial leveling of the exposed barge canal side-cast spoil berms.
Restoration of the historic Ocklawaha River channel flow by filling the barge canal where it intersects the river channel.
Restoration of the historic Deep Creek channel flow by filling the barge canal where it intersects the creek channel.
Restoration of the historic Camp Branch floodplain and channel flow by filling the barge canal where it intersects the creek channel.
Closure and securing of the Buckman Lock Removal of 2,000 feet of the Kirkpatrick Dam (earthen portion).
Partial filling and restoration of the spillway tailrace to natural grade and development and implementation of a cultural resources operating plan.
Rodman Dam is a piece of failing infrastructure that needs to be retired responsibly for the sake of the environment and public safety.
There are many dams throughout the state, but the Rodman Dam is top priority for removal in Florida, based on its connectivity to other rivers in the system. Because there are so many dams in existence, there needed to be a way to triage which dams should be removed first hence the creation of The National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool by The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP), which is a regional collaboration of natural resource and science agencies, conservation organizations and private interests developed to strengthen the management and conservation of aquatic resources in the southeastern United States.
SARP works to implement the goals of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan in some of the United States most ecologically and economically significant watersheds. Remember that rivers and streams are more than just conduits for water and fish. They are long, linear ecosystems made up of the physical environment, communities of organisms, and a variety of ecological processes that shape and maintain these ecosystems over time.
The long-term conservation of important aquatic resources (such as fish) requires the maintenance of healthy and ecologically viable ecosystems. Decommissioning Rodman Dam will reestablish historic migration paths for popular gamefish like the striped bass and channel and white catfish, increasing recreational fishing opportunities in this struggling “premier” recreational fishery that serves myriads of outdoor enthusiasts and stimulates both the state and local economies.
Restoration of clear water flows from the Ocklawaha River to the St. Johns River will help replenish submerged aquatic vegetation and boost the abundance of crabs, shrimp, oysters, and fish like largemouth bass. Please tell legislators to reunite the rivers by removing the barrier that is Rodman Dam and its reservoir to begin the most important springs restoration project in the country, benefiting Florida’s largest spring, Silver Springs, and recovering the 20 “lost springs” of the Ocklawaha River.