This 4 hour, downstream paddle takes us through a 7-mile section of the Ocklawaha we rarely visit--the upper end of Rodman Reservoir (to keep the purists happy, I should mention that this is technically a "pool," not a reservoir).
This one is about 1 hour southeast of Gainesville.
The cost is $50 per person. ($39 for "wanna go" members). With your own boat it's $40 per person. ($29 for members).
We'll begin in an area where the reservoir is very shallow, so its influence is less dramatic than further down stream. The forest is largely intact and actually quite beautiful. Since this area is now usually covered with a thin sheet of water, all but the most aquatic tree species remain. In some places we find pure stands of bald cypress. When the reservoir is full, we can paddle among these cypress--a truly transcendent experience. However, the reservoir is still a bit low from the recent drawdown so it might not yet be deep enough for paddling among the trees.
As we descend the river, effects of the reservoir become increasingly apparent. The trees become more widely spaced and many show the signs of stress from the high water. By the time we reach our take-out, few trees remain in the open reservoir.
In some places we also glimpse the arrow-straight, 400-ft wide path that was to be the route of the barges, had the canal been completed. Nature has made the best of the situation--as it always does--and birding is good in these areas.
History
People have lived along Ocklawaha for nearly 14,000 years. Evidence of their passing can be seen on all stretches of the river. Even though all sections were occupied in all time periods, certain stretches of the river seem to have a much more obvious connection to specific tribes or cultures. In the lower river, certain features tend to keep us mindful of the Archaic Period cultures, while the upper river is palpably the realm of the Acuera. The section we'll be exploring on this trip is all about the Seminoles. Several important historical sites and some fascinating stories--including some in our own time--give this part of Ocklawaha a powerful Seminole identity.
Highlights
This days route will take us past a couple of the 20+ springs that have been lost to Rodman Reservoir. Most of these springs are completely submerged when the reservoir is full, but a couple in the upper reaches where we'll be paddling on this trip are usually visible.
Difficulty
This is an easy paddle on slow, tannin-stained waters. There is plenty of water here so you won't have to pull over any shoals or shallows.
Questions or reservations: e-mail - riverguide2000@yahoo.com , or call (386) 454-0611
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