Florida C-brats, Ocklawaha River info please

[Skip Hood]

Hi fellow brats -

Used to be the Ocklawaha River in central FL could be navigated all the way from the Chain of Lakes to the St. Johns River via Rodman Reservoir and a remnant of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. Should be a neat African Queen sort of experience in our 22. But last time we had Fishwife there, maybe a year after 2005's hurricane triple whammy to that area, the section north of Ocala was still impassible due to downed trees. Wondering if any of you have knowledge that it has or hasn't been cleared since. Or know where else to ask.

Thanks,
Skip

 

[Papillon]

Skip, Here is some information on the area you are speaking.

http://www.protectingourwater.org/watersheds/map/ocklawaha/

I will do make some inquirys of the locals and see if I can get any information on the conditions and water levels.

 

[Skip Hood]

Boy, that was quick! Many thanks, Mike. Did not know or had forgotten (turned 60 this year) that you relocated to Astor. Been there several times as our launch point for the annual, infamous Memorial Day bash at Silver Glen. Hope to see you next time.

 

[Skip Hood]

OK, all you kind souls trying to get an answer for me can call off the hunt. Guess that would be you, Mike. A half dozen phone calls got me to someone at the Florida DEP who says the Corp of Engineers just finished a big project to clear the Ocklawaha a couple moths ago and it's probably as navigable as it's been in the last 20 years. Though he still advised bringing a saw :wink: Much as I love the salt, doing the jungle cruise thing is a hoot. Makes the ol' boys in their jon boats wonder how we got lost so far from the ocean.

 

[Papillon]

My brother Boo and I just got back from a 3 day excursion on the Altamaha River in Southeast Georgia. We put in at Lumber City and hauled out at Jesup, Ga. The water level was so low we spent a lot of time walking the river and that was not as enjoyable as it might sound. The adverge depth was 2 ft. and with a heavy loaded 18 ft John boat and 20in shaft motor you can see our predictiment. The snags were on every turn in the only water we could find and we found one...that put a hole in the boat on the first day out. But thanks the a large roll of Duct Tape...we were able to keep the boat afloat.

So might want to check out the water levels, which should be ok...based on the rain fall we have received here this month.