What is the state of the St. Johns River? What are the current threats to the river? Why is submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) important? How do we improve SAV growth in the St. Johns? How many springs feed the St. Johns? How will breaching the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam to Reunite the Rivers affect the St. Johns? Are recreational opportunities on the river increasing in Putnam County?
Find out in this informative interview with your St. Johns Riverkeeper, Lisa Rinaman.
On SAVe Our River’s Grasses:
“One of the things we’ve found: As the river gets saltier, our eelgrass, those submerged grasses, they need more light – so we need to do things that allow more light to get into the river. When we have toxic blue-green algal outbreaks, that blocks light. When we have sedimentation issues with dirt going into the river, that blocks light. We need to do anything we can to keep the river clear… so that these grasses are getting the light they need.”
On Reunite the Rivers:
“Historically, the Ocklawaha River really balanced out the salt and fresh water… in the St. Johns, because it’s mostly spring-fed. When the Ocklawaha is flowing freely, the St. Johns River gets much more spring, crystal-clear water – cooler water, fresher water – than it does when it’s dammed.”