IT'S ABOUT DAM TIME TO
RESTORE THE OCKLAWAHA
Breaching the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam on the Ocklawaha River would bring back twenty "lost" springs that were drowned by the dam's reservoir over fifty years ago. Ocklawaha Restoration is the most cost-effective springs protection project in Florida. The science is irrefutable, the support is bipartisan, and the plans to restore the river and its ecosystem are ready.
Three Rivers, Fifty Springs, One Solution: Reunite the Rivers and Restore the Great Florida Riverway
Take Action Today:​ Click the button below to sign the pledge to support and advocate for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River during the 2026 Florida Legislative Session.
​
We're calling on the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis to enact legislation in the 2026 Florida Legislative Session to mandate and fund the restoration of the Ocklawaha River, and the development of recreational amenities and opportunities, to benefit Silver Springs and the St. Johns River, fish and manatees, and the people of Florida.
_edited.jpg)
The Ocklawaha is a link between Silver Springs, the
St. Johns River and the east coast.
On this map, Silver Springs is on the bottom left. The Silver River flows into the Ocklawaha, and should run unimpeded into the St Johns River, on the far right side of the map. The dam, upper center, created the "Rodman Pool" and impeded access between the riverways for manatees and fish species that depend on that route to the coast for reproduction.
The dam prevents east coast manatees from freely accessing Silver River & Silver Springs for winter refuge and food.
Fish populations have declined 90% in Silver Springs since the dam was put in place.
If the dam were opened, 20 "lost springs" currently drowned by dammed waters would be revealed, many of which would be suitable for manatees.
BACKGROUND
Why was the dam built there anyway?
​​
In 1968 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Rodman Dam as part of the controversial Cross-Florida Barge Canal. It sounds crazy now, but the idea was a canal through the middle of the state to give ships a way to slice straight across Florida rather than go all the way around the Keys.
The fact that it would also cut into the Floridan Aquifer and make the state’s primary source of drinking water undrinkable was one of many environmental concerns that eventually shut down the project in 1971.
​
But the dam remained, flooding 9,000 acres of forest beneath the reservoir, drowning 20 springs, blocking fish that rely on migration to reproduce, and crushing manatees in the dam's locks.
If it's not needed, why is it STILL there?
Carr vs. Kirkpatrick
​
Marjorie Carr, a scientist who knew how damaging the canal would be, founded Florida Defenders of the Environment to stop the Cross Florida Barge Canal and won a court case to halt construction. The path that the barge canal was to take is now a preserved trail called the "Marjorie Carr Cross-Florida Greenway." ​
But Sen. George Kirkpatrick campaigned to keep the dam, and despite the dam serving no purpose, his influence was successful in convincing fellow legislators to refuse to approve money for its removal. The reservoir had become popular local fishing spot. Because of his work to keep the dam, it is now officially named the "Kirkpatrick" Dam.
The original players in the "remove the dam" and "keep the dam" fight are gone, but their names still represent the forces that fight over the what the future holds for the Ocklawaha River: The Kirkpatrick Dam, named for the political power on one side denying the funding needed to restore the river, right next to the canal route's new life as the Carr Greenway hiking trail, named after the scientific forces speaking to let the river return to its natural state.​
WHAT NOW?
​During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Legislature approved $6.25 million to finally remove the dam, free the Ocklawaha River, and bring back the Lost Springs. Unfortunately, Governor DeSantis vetoed the Ocklawaha restoration funding. ​​​​​​
​
This year, we’re urging the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis to enact legislation during the 2026 Florida Legislative Session that mandates and funds the restoration of the Ocklawaha River and will finally reverse the damage created when the Ocklawaha was dammed for the abandoned Cross-Florida Barge Canal project.
​​​
For increased recreational opportunities for all Floridians to enjoy, benefits to the local economy, and the health of the springs, rivers and wildlife,
IT'S ABOUT DAM TIME TO REUNITE THE RIVERS.​
Sign our pledge at ItsAboutDamTime.org to commit to advocating for Ocklawaha River restoration. We need your help to finish this fight for Old Florida.
​
The Florida Springs Council proud to lend our expertise and support the coalition of organizations, scientists, and other experts working to restore the Ocklawaha, Silver, and St. Johns Rivers. Learn more at ReuniteTheRivers.com
​
​
