Advocates Push to Reunite Florida Rivers After Decades-Old Canal Project Abandoned

Environmentalists want to permanently open Kirkpatrick Dam and restore the Ocklawaha River's natural flow.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:18pm

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Decades after the Cross Florida Barge Canal project was abandoned due to environmental concerns, advocates are now pushing to permanently open the Kirkpatrick Dam and reunite the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers in northeast Florida. The dam and reservoir built for the aborted canal project have drowned part of the Ocala National Forest, submerged springs, and disrupted wildlife crossings. Advocates say removing the dam would restore the natural flow, allow springs to reemerge, and enable the movement of migratory fish and manatees. However, some local groups oppose emptying the reservoir, which has become a popular fishing and recreation destination.

Why it matters

The effort to restore the Ocklawaha River is part of a broader trend in Florida to undo the environmental damage caused by past public works projects, such as the draining of the Everglades and the channelization of the Kissimmee River. Advocates argue that restoring the natural flow of the Ocklawaha system would revive a unique and nationally significant ecosystem.

The details

The Kirkpatrick Dam was built in the 1960s as part of the abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal project. The dam created the Rodman Reservoir, which has submerged 9,500 acres of land, including parts of the Ocala National Forest, 20 springs, and wildlife crossings used by manatees. Every few years when the reservoir is drained for maintenance, the springs and submerged land reemerge, revealing a haunting "graveyard" of drowned trees. Advocates want to permanently open the dam to reunite the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers and restore the natural flow, but some local groups oppose the move, saying the reservoir has become an important economic resource for fishing and recreation.

  • The latest drawdown of Rodman Reservoir, the first in six years, started in October 2025 and ended in early March 2026.
  • The latest legislative effort to support a $70 million project to restore the Ocklawaha River by opening the dam failed last week as the Florida legislative session ended.

The players

Nina Bhattacharyya

Executive director of Florida Defenders of the Environment, an environmental advocacy group pushing for the dam's removal.

Jason Brodeur

Republican state senator who sponsored legislation to support the Ocklawaha River restoration project.

Steve Miller

President of Save Rodman Reservoir, a group that opposes permanently emptying the reservoir.

Joshua Alexander

Putnam County Commissioner who argues that the reservoir has become an important economic resource for the local community.

Karen Chadwick

A charter boat captain who has witnessed the haunting landscape revealed during reservoir drawdowns.

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What they’re saying

“By removing the dam, we would reunite the waters. We would have springs reemerge. Wildlife would be able to move back and forth — migratory fish, manatees and so much more. Removal of the dam would really fix a wrong that was created decades ago.”

— Nina Bhattacharyya, Executive director, Florida Defenders of the Environment

“Something is going to happen, maybe next year, maybe in a couple of years. Something has to be done.”

— Jason Brodeur, State Senator

“This system is a national treasure. Hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water feed and cool the river. Before the dam, you had a direct waterway to the ocean with small springs all along the way.”

— Mark Emery, Nature filmmaker

“There's a bigger picture than what is being shown. Don't gamble away on speculative outcomes.”

— Steve Miller, President, Save Rodman Reservoir

“We have created chicken salad out of chicken. We are not a rich economy, and I believe it would affect our economy.”

— Joshua Alexander, Putnam County Commissioner

What’s next

The advocates for restoring the Ocklawaha River plan to regroup and identify the best strategy for moving forward after the recent legislative setback. They remain optimistic given the strong bipartisan support the measure received before the session ended.

The takeaway

The effort to reunite the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers in Florida is part of a broader trend of restoring natural environments that were damaged by past public works projects. While some local groups oppose the dam's removal due to economic concerns, advocates argue that restoring the Ocklawaha's natural flow would revive a unique and nationally significant ecosystem.