The reservoir was created in 1968 when an earthen dam was built across the Ocklawaha River. In October 2019, a judge threw out a 2017 lawsuit by environmentalists to remove the dam. The canal would go on to become one of America’s greatest white elephants, and its remnants are still a source of debate. It allows the cold weather and associated frosts to help kill the overabundant, sometimes invasive plant species. The resulting conflict between those who want to drain the reservoir and “free the Ocklawaha” and those who want to preserve the reservoir (mainly for The federal government bought land and sent crews to camps near Ocala to begin digging. To deny future generations such a precious resource would be, to me at least, unconscionable. In the months just after Pearl Harbor, German U-Boats, with impunity, sank one freighter after another off the Florida coast. 22:31. The good news is that, compared with most environmental restoration projects, fixing the Rodman Reservoir mistake isn’t that complicated. In doing so, the Reservoir is drained by 9 ft, on average. I've heard mixed things from various fisherman about the strong possibility that Rodman Reservoir will be drained. The 7,200-foot-long earthen dam has a four-gate spillway designed to discharge up to 36,000 cubic feet per second of water from the Rodman Reservoir, which is located on the upstream side of the dam and spillway. President Lyndon Johnson pushed the button for the first dynamite charge. Scott Martin 479,764 views. But as people questioned the economic and ecological soundness of the dam, President Richard Nixon, considered by many the first environmental president, halted the project in 1971 and Congress officially killed it in 1990. Rodman Reservoir Drawdown…if haven’t heard of it, you will. But by stages, during the 21 winding river miles from Rodman Reservoir to Eureka, the landscape grows greener and fuller. Regardless of whom you side with, the draining of Rodman Reservoir would displace an immeasurable amount of wildlife. Ever since, environmentalists have called for part of the Rodman Dam to be removed and the reservoir drained to restore 16 miles of the Ocklawaha and 7,500 acres of habitat. Last winter, the state performed a drawdown on the Rodman Reservoir — every three or four years, the DEP drains the reservoir and dumps the old water in the St. Johns River. Anyone care to weigh in and catch me up on all the competing interests and what's likely to happen. Counties who had poured millions into its construction, hoping to share a financial gain, ate their losses. They also state that draining the Rodman Reservoir would (sic)“displace many endangered or threatened species of wildlife in Florida. It's been a 50 year battle over whether or not to keep the Rodman Reservoir and Dam operational, and due to a recent failed lawsuit, it seems that the dam will remain in the Ocklawaha River. Concerns about saltwater intrusion into aquifers ended that. Even healthy trees are scarred with a water mark several feet up their trunk. But Trump is the traitor. Once again, the talking-points eco-crowd is fast waving their green flag of draining Rodman Reservoir – as they do every few years over the past several decades. I've heard mixed things from various fisherman about the strong possibility that Rodman Reservoir will be drained. Draining Rodman will do more than ruin fishing, Nickol said. The 1935 Labor Day storm, which smashed the Keys, spurred President Franklin Roosevelt to approve money for a canal. Even healthy trees are scarred with a water mark several feet up their trunk. Ron DeSantis. Anyone care to weigh in and catch me up on all the competing interests and what's likely to happen. This project was deauthorized in 1992 by the U.S. government and the state of Florida when it was approximately one-third complete. The tree huggers want to pull the plug and return the river to its original flow. Rodman Dam Spillway Report - 8/15/18 - Duration: 10:35. That would make Rodman a swamp and decimate the fishery. While it is known for catches of trophy bass and will certainly produce some monster fish this year, it is the number of two to five pounders that should get the anglers attention. What remains is a shallow, wood-choked impoundment - Rodman Reservoir. The Rodman Dam was built at the east end of the canal connecting the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers, and the 9,200-acre Rodman Reservoir backed up behind that. Rodman Reservoir will offer some great fishing trips for bass anglers this spring. Work began again in 1964. The response and motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit may dash some environmentalists' hopes that the federal agency would join them in forcing the state to drain the Rodman Reservoir. For … This is a place that has been the topic of many a discussion and heated talks. Submit your questions, comments or memories to FloridaTime@Gatehousemedia.com. I've seen the pictures - must be one heck of a fishery. Environmentally, what could possibly go wrong? RODMAN RESERVOIR “Where would it end?” The recent conversation about deepening the St. Johns River and draining the Rodman Reservoir has certainly caught the attention of both the ecological extremist and those who simply have good reasoning. Many were coming from places such as Houston, New Orleans or Pensacola. They say the dam blocks the river’s natural flow into the St. Johns River and encourages aquatic weeds. http://www.bbcboards.net/bbc-lounge...wanting-drain-please-call-904-256-7591-a.html. Here’s more (much of it from our sister newspapers, the Florida Times-Union and Daytona Beach News-Journal). JavaScript is disabled. Governor Lawton Chiles directs Florida Department of Environment Protection in cooperation with St. Johns River Water Management District to begin a phased drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir and to move forward with the partial restoration option to restore the Ocklawaha River. It will be missed. Ever since, environmentalists have called for part of the Rodman Dam to be removed and the reservoir drained to restore 16 miles of the Ocklawaha and 7,500 acres of habitat. Eventually, straight canals were dug at either end. But they do know that it means…”the fishing will be off the hook.” Upper Ocklawaha River Basin I had another opportunity to travel southwest of Palatka, Florida to a place called Rodman, this past week. My sons and I have spent many days on Rodman and the Ocklawaha. Tweet; Pin It; Updated: January 14, 2015. Beneath Rodman Reservoir, the original river channel still exists and will quickly adjust when the reservoir is drained. Entry fee is $100. Lifetime Black Bass: 18 over 8 lbs,10 over 9lbs, 8 over 10 lbs, 1 over 12 lbs, PB- 12 lbs 4 oz. Eliot Kleinberg has been a staff writer for the past three decades at The Palm Beach Post, and is the author of 10 books about Florida (www.ekfla.com). Again, the shortcut. They are appealing. Every 3 to 4 years the lake gets scheduled for what they refer to as a drawdown, most anglers could not begin to tell you what it ready is or does. Eugene Stinson caught a ten plus there last year. And it would eliminate one of the best fisheries in Florida. [1] It is also a premier … By Admin. Rodman Reservoir is in Putnam County and considered a premier largemouth bass fishery located in north Northeast Florida, covers 9,500 acres, and is about 15 miles long. "There's eagles, bear, foxes, all kinds of fish, otters and the osprey have nests all along there. You must log in or register to reply here. It is located south of Palatka off Hwy 19. The Corp of Engineers, in there infinite wisdom, put a dam in the Oklawaha river as part of the cross Florida barge canal. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Canal never was finished but Rodman became a fishing paradise. If the Rodman is to be emptied out for good, the one person the anti-dam people need in their corner is Gov. They describe the Rodman Reservoir as home to many species of wildlife. 1971 Florida Game & Freshwater Fish Commission recommends that the Rodman reservoir be drained, and the dam be breached to restore the river. it's a well known lake in Florida known for giant bass. Let me see if I have this straight, if we get NUKED, it will be by Missiles built by technology given to China by Bill Clinton, funded by Iran with money $$$ given to them by Obama, with warheads developed by Uranium sold to Russia by Hillary. Ever since, environmentalists have called for part of the Rodman Dam to be removed and the reservoir drained to restore 16 miles of the Ocklawaha and 7,500 acres of … It is in fact home to eagles, black bears, turkeys, turtles, alligators, and a healthy, diverse fish population. Restoring the Ocklawaha can be relatively quick and straightforward. The Lock was constructed during the mid to late 1960s as part of the former Cross Florida Barge Canal project. Readers: What to do about the Cross-Florida Barge Canal? Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. But by stages, during the 21 winding river miles from Rodman Reservoir to Eureka, the landscape grows greener and fuller. The groups say the plan would mostly preserve that. Fishing Florida's Rodman Reservoir By Jim Hammond. At the west end, the Inglis Dam backed up the Withlacoochee River. “The drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir only happens every 3-4 years. The fact that Rodman can be drained, and the lake rejuvenated every few years is a huge water management asset of the impoundment. DeSantis has a mixed reputation on environmental issues — steering millions to the Everglades, for instance, while also approving an expensive toll road that will pave over the heart of Florida panther habitat. Off the St. Johns basically between Palatka and Lake George. Rodman Reservoir, or Lake Ocklawaha, is an artificial reservoir located on the Ocklawaha River in Putnam County and Marion County in north central Florida.The reservoir, located about 15 miles southwest of Palatka, is approximately 15 miles in length, covers 9,500 acres and is located between State Road 19 on the east and State Road 315 on the west. Bass Fishing a DRAINED LAKE - Rodman Reservoir - SMC Episode 12:13 - Duration: 22:31. In a future war, they still would be vulnerable. Ever since, environmentalists have called for part of the Rodman Dam to be removed and the reservoir drained to restore 16 miles of the Ocklawaha and 7,500 acres of … Ideas for it date back at least to 1824 when Florida still was just a U.S. territory. In the 1960s, the federal government embarked on a plan to create a 107-mile-long shortcut across the north end of the Florida peninsula. Include your full name and hometown. alterations were the Rodman Reservoir and the adjacent Buckman Lock, constructed to join the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers. By Nate Monroe, www.jacksonville.com. Rodman Reservoir Drawdown. Just 22 miles had been dug, with a third of the locks and dams and one-sixth of the total project completed. As the population of Florida continues to increase, the Ocklawaha River will become ever more valuable as a recreational and ecological resource. Fishermen love the dam. A 1992 University of Florida study prepared for the state proposed natural regrowth as a viable option if draining of the Rodman Reservoir happened. Rodman Reservoir, or Lake Ocklawaha, is a reservoir located on the Oklawaha River in Putnam County and Marion County in north central Florida.The lake, located about 15 miles southwest of Palatka, is between State Road 19 on the east and State Road 315 on the west.The lake was created in 1968 when the United States Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Rodman … Fortunately, the Ocklawaha River can be restored - and at a savings to taxpayers. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy included the canal in his budget. Bass and ducks attract hundreds of thousands of sportsmen each year, pumping millions into the area’s economy. Numerous state and federal studies of the restoration issue have been conducted and all support restoring the Ocklawaha River by draining Rodman Reservoir. Sorry, no personal replies. 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