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Aquatic Preserves

Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve

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Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve is in Central Florida near Ocala in Marion County. The Silver River flows about 5.5 miles before it connects with the Oklawaha River, which flows north into the St. Johns River and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean.

History

The Oklawaha River is one of the oldest rivers in Florida. Humans have used the Oklawaha River for fishing, hunting, travel and foraging since 7500 BC. Once threatened by the proposed Cross Florida Barge Canal, a 20-mile portion of the Oklawaha River, along with almost the entire length of the Silver River, was designated as the Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve in 1989. This area is also recognized as an Outstanding Florida Water because of its diverse plant and animal communities.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Events

  • Springs Festival occurs annually in the spring.

Educational Opportunities

There is an informational exhibit about the Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve at the Silver Springs State Park Discovery Center and Ray Wayside Park. Visitors can learn about the area's natural and cultural history at the Silver Springs State Park education center and the Silver River Museum. Staff from the Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve also participate in local events and schools, providing educational opportunities.

Scientific Information

The Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve and its surrounding areas contain more than 2,200 acres of archaeological sites. These sites, which date back to at least the Early Archaic period, include prehistoric campsites, mounds, middens and habitation sites. The archaeological sites found within the preserve boundaries provide insight into the area's indigenous cultures as well as its modern history. Collecting artifacts is illegal without a permit.

The Oklawaha River, located in the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province of Florida, is underlain by a thick sequence of varied sedimentary rocks. Major deposits include the Avon Park Limestone, the Ocala Group Limestone, the clayey Hawthorne Formation and a top layer of undifferentiated sands and clay. The karst topography is irregular due to the dissolving action of acidic surface water and groundwater on carbonate rocks, forming cavities and causing surface subsidence. The sediments of the Oklawaha River and Silver River floodplains are mostly organic, such as peats and mucks.

The Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve supports a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna. The different sediment types found in the preserve, ranging from muck to sand, support a variety of plant and invertebrate life. The Oklawaha River is a blackwater river, while the Silver River is a clear spring run; both water bodies are lined with swamps. The surrounding forests provide food for animals and attract many species of birds. 

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Riverine system, spring-fed run, blackwater stream, Outstanding Florida Water

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Limpkin, white ibis, tricolored heron, little blue heron, black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron, wood stork, osprey, bald eagle, swallow-tailed kite, great blue heron, great egret, green heron and wood duck

Mammals
Florida manatee, white-tailed deer, turkeys, raccoon, grey squirrel, bobcats, otters

Reptiles
American alligator, Florida softshell turtle, Florida snapping turtle, Florida cooter, Suwannee river cooter, common musk turtle, loggerhead musk turtle

Fish
Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, chain pickerel, longnose gar, bowfin, Florida gar, mullet, gizzard shad, American eel, white catfish, yellow bullhead catfish and brown bullhead catfish  

Other Species
Cardinal flower

Conservation Efforts

The Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve’s purpose is to maintain the springs and river in an essentially natural state. These conservation efforts are crucial to the health and sustainability of the Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve ecosystem. Monitoring the quality of the water helps to ensure that it is suitable for recreation and the propagation of fish and wildlife. Managing invasive species helps to protect native plant and animal communities from competition for resources and habitat. Restoring the shoreline protects it from erosion and other damage. These conservation efforts are necessary to help ensure protection, proper management and continued value of the aquatic preserve as an ecological and recreational resource. 

Ongoing Research

Ongoing research in the Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve includes monitoring and assessing the impacts of nonnative fauna on the ecosystem. This includes evaluating submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation compositions, surveying for and removing invasive species and coordinating with the Florida Park Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and St. Johns River Water Management District. Long-term monitoring of invasive species, water quality and vegetation is critical to understanding the health of the aquatic preserve and its ability to support diverse plant and animal life. This data is also important when reviewing the Basin Management Action Plan, minimum flows and levels, total maximum daily loads and other water quality and quantity restoration goals among partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Year-round. Manatees are most common November through March.

The aquatic preserve does not offer guided tours. Please visit other vendors in the area for guided tours. 

Yes. Aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily-disturbed wildlife. Please do not let your pet run free in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to avoid hazardous pathogens in our coastal waters. 

Fishing and swimming are prohibited on the Silver River, and the entire river is idle speed. Follow the speed signs along the Oklawaha River as speed regulations vary. Fishing is permissible on the Oklawaha River. 

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC boating regulations.

Seagrass is protected within aquatic preserves; avoid shallow waters and raise motor if over seagrass. Damage to seagrass can result in a fine up to $1,000. 

Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ADA accommodations are specific to each access point and the managing entity for that site. Eureka West Boat Ramp, Silver Springs State Park and Ray Wayside Park are ADA accessible.

There is no aquatic preserve entry fee, but if you enter the aquatic preserve through the state park, other boat ramps or another vendor, there will be associated fees. Donations can be made to the Aquatic Preserve Society.

Volunteering can be done at Silver Springs State Park through the Florida Park Service.

Partner Groups

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • St. Johns River Water Management District
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • U.S. Geological Survey
  • Silver Springs State Park
  • Florida Springs Institute
  • Marion County (including the Division of Parks and Recreation and Code Enforcement)
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Aquatic Preserve Society

The Oklawaha River Aquatic Preserve has also participated in the Silver River Working Group, which sought to protect the water quality and quantity in the Silver Springs groundwater basin. Additionally, the preserve was a member of the Marion County Water Resources Stakeholders Group, which created land use regulations for development in critical spring recharge areas.