The Florida Wildlife Federation is proud to be a member of the Reunite the Rivers Coalition, focused on all there is to gain from restoring the Ocklawaha River through the partial removal of the Rodman dam. Learn more about the many benefits of Ocklawaha restoration.
Approximately every four years, we glimpse what restoration offers for the ecosystems and the many outdoor enthusiasts in Florida. We recently learned that a drawdown of the Rodman pool will begin the first week in October this year, and the full process will take 90 days to fully draw. This drawdown will release water from the Rodman-Kirkpatrick Dam into the St. Johns River Estuary until water levels are brought down from 18 to 11 feet above mean sea level.
This process is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), though we have not learned of any public meetings to discuss the drawdown or restoration progress.
We encourage you to take this opportunity to explore the more than 7,500 acres of forested wetlands typically submerged by the Rodman pool.
You can also sign up to be added to the waitlist for upcoming boat tours. These tours will occur in early 2025 allowing for an opportunity to travel the historic flow of the Ocklawaha River. The Florida Wildlife Federation and coalition partners invite you to get up and close with the diversity of plants and wildlife that reemerge during the drawdown and to preview the benefits of restoration.
Join the waitlist today and be part of this exciting journey to reconnect with Florida’s wild spaces!
