The drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir begins this month, where water levels will be brought down from approximately 18 feet to approximately 11 feet above mean sea level.
According to the Florida State Parks website, the drawdown is “a process by which water levels in the reservoir are gradually reduced to expose much of the submerged vegetation to the air during the colder months of the year. The water level is first raised to approximately 20 feet prior to the lowering phase to break loose aquatic vegetation, logs, etc. Then the lowering process is begun – preferably at a time when a strong weather front moves through – to strand as much as possible of the vegetation and debris along the shoreline as the water is lowered. The water is then drawn down to 11 feet above mean sea level. The water remains at that level for approximately three months, which provides an opportunity to manage vegetation and sediments. Submersed vegetation is exposed by the process, providing a food source for migrating waterfowl.”1
An Executive Order implementing a temporary no harvest regulation of black bass was issued on September 24th. The order will take effect Monday November 4, 2024 and will last until Thursday April 3, 2025.
The Kirkpatrick Dam locks will remain operational during the the drawdown.
For more information regarding the drawdown of Rodman Reservoir, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/rodman-reservoir-drawdown-faq
Reference
1) https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/rodman-reservoir-drawdown-faq
