FOLA

The Friends Of Lake Apopka

Map of Lake Apopka     Headwaters of the Ocklawaha Watershed

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Friends of Lake Apopka Join In Ocklawaha Watershed Efforts

The Friends of Lake Apopka have agreed to join the Putnam County Environmental Council in their efforts to restore the entire watershed of the Ocklawaha River. Lake Apopka forms the headwaters of this watershed that also includes the Harris Chain of lakes as the river flows northward, eventually merging with the St. Johns River.

FOLA has focused attention on Lake Apopka and will continue to do so but the Board of Directors feels it is important to join efforts to face problems downstream as well. Current battles in Lake Apopka include guarding against further pollution in the lake from surrounding development, halting efforts to withdraw waters for irrigation and fighting against approvals for permits to sell bottled water for the Apopka drainage basin.

Current data shows considerable improvements in decreased phosphorus levels and recent reports indicate fishing has improved dramatically.

One of the biggest battles downstream includes removal of the Rodman Dam, a relic of a previous ill-advised attempt to build a Cross-Florida Barge Canal, which fortunately, was halted by President Nixon. The Rodman Dam had been completed before the project was stopped and vigorous political fights through the years have blocked attempts to remove the structure. The damaging results of the dam include destruction of many acres of floodplain forests and disruption of flow that caused increased nutrient levels in the river below the dam.

Current efforts by environmental groups call for a permanent draw down of the Rodman pool, which would allow for flushing of the river and restoration of floodplain forests to restore many acres of habitat. Other efforts call for an immediate science-based establishment of Minimum Flows and Levels for the entire length of the Ocklawaha. The same is needed for Lake Apopka.

The Putnam County Environmental Council held a Rally for the Rivers on February 15 - 17, 2008 in Palatka where all these issues were featured along with educational and entertaining events.

Jim Thomas
Friends of Lake Apopka


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