About the River

The Ocklawaha River is the largest tributary of the St. Johns River and one of the longest, undeveloped river systems in Florida. It flows north/northeast starting in the Green Swamp, continues through the Clermont and Harris chain of lakes, is joined by the Silver River near Ocala and Orange Creek to the west and then is abruptly blocked by the Kirkpatrick/Rodman dam near Palatka.

A free-flowing Ocklawaha would continue to the St. Johns River in Putnam County creating a migratory route for fish, shellfish and manatees from the Atlantic Ocean. Reconnecting and restoring this valuable river system will improve the health of not just the Ocklawaha but Silver Springs and the Silver and St. Johns Rivers.

Ocklawaha Paper Map 8_5X11April9.20