Home

What You Should Know About Rodman Reservoir

Rodman Reservoir lies in Marion and Putnam Counties on the northwest corner of the Ocala National Forest on the eastern end of the Cross Florida Greenway. It was created in the 1960s by damming the Ocklawaha River.

The Ocklawaha River is about 135 miles long with its headwaters in the Green Swamp area south of Apopka. The river flows north and joins the Silver River near Silver Springs. It continues north to Orange Springs, joins Orange Creek and then flows east until it empties into the St. Johns River west of Welaka.


image2

Who We Are

A nature lover and angler's paradise
Read More
image2

What We Do

Rodman must be preserved for future generations
Read More
image2

Why It Matters

Rodman supports endangered plants and animals
Read More
 

Habitats
Over 12 Different

Birds
115 Species

Fish
38 Species

Length
15 Miles Long

Size
9,600 Acres
 

Why It Matters

Environmental Impacts
Economic Impacts
Statistics
  • Rodman Reservoir is not a dying, weed-choked reservoir; it is a complex ecosystem that supports a wide variety of native plants and wildlife, including many species that are currently threatened in Florida.
     
     
     
  • Rodman Reservoir supports over twice as many bird species and greater densities of birds then the Oklawaha River.
     
     
     
  • Removal of Rodman Reservoir will cause a decline In bird species richness and adversely affects more Species of Concern.
     
     
     
  • Rodman Reservoir has more visitors than all but 12 of Florida's State Parks, supports over 3 times the recreational use of the Oklawaha River, and will support over 50% more recreation than a restored river.
     
     
     
  • Rodman Reservoir provides between $6,000,000 and $7,000,000 per year to the economies of Putnam County and Marion County.
     
     
     
  • Rodman Reservoir, after operational costs, provides at least $18,000,000 in positive economic benefits over the next 20 years and these benefits exceed those of any Oklawaha River restoration alternative by more than 225%.
     
     
     
  • Removal of Rodman Reservoir produces negative net economic benefits over the next 20 years ranging from -$3,895,646 to -$18,295,500 depending on the restoration alternative chosen.
     
     
  • Rodman Reservoir covers some 9,600 acres, and it is about 15 miles long and up to 2 miles wide near the dam.
     
     
     
  • A 7,200 foot-long earth fill dam was built across the Ocklawaha River, just west of the Buckman Lock to impound water for the reservoir. A four-gate spillway, built into the dam, controls the water elevation in the reservoir.
     
     
     
  • Water in the reservoir near Rodman Dam is maintained at about 18 feet above mean sea level. Natural terrain slopes upward toward the upstream (Eureka) end of the pool. When maintained at 18 feet above sea level the backwater effect of the reservoir ends about 2 miles downstream of Eureka Lock.
     
     
     

Where?

Rodman
Reservoir
Palatka, Florida 32178

Help Save Rodman

Save Rodman Reservoir, Inc. only has the capacity to hold one major fund raiser each year, our annual Save Rodman Open Bass Tournament. As a result we are always needing operating capitol. Membership dues make up some of the shortfall but it seems like this is never quite enough to do all the things we would like to do to save our wonderful reservoir. If you're interested in joining, please fill out the form below for more information.

Our Sponsors