Benefits
restoration
This restoration project of state and national significance will:
- Restore the natural flow of Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha to the St. Johns River improving water quality, benefitting fishing and other recreation, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities.
- Complete Florida’s most significant springs restoration project by recovering 20 Ocklawaha River springs and improving the 30 springs comprising Silver Springs.
- Deliver a 7.6% return on investment – greater than most public works and restoration projects.
- Avoid catastrophic flooding and potential loss of life and millions in damages to 539 properties downstream of this outdated, high hazard dam.
- Restore 7,500 acres of natural area that is a critical Link in the Florida Wildlife Corridor and much-needed flood storage during storm events.
The Great Florida Riverway Trust understands that every day the water and wildlife of this natural system is blocked, harm is being done to Silver Springs, and the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers.
By utilizing our resources to advance this historic restoration project, we believe that we can inspire elected leaders to take swift action to begin the process to restore the system back to its original flow.
Economic Benefits
The restoration of the Great Florida Riverway will have a tremendous impact on recreation and economic development to the benefit of not only the local communities, but the economic vitality of the region, as well as contribute to Florida’s prosperous water-based outdoor recreation industry economy.
Economic analysis projects a 28% increase in recreational activity will occur with a restored river compared to its current state. The projected 10-year return on investment is a significant 7.6%, which is greater than most public works projects.
Restoration is projected to bring a cumulative net benefit of $47.2 million over 10 years, while keeping the dam or status quo with no restoration is projected to create a cumulative loss of $5.3 million (Alan Hodges, PhD, retired UF economist).
View the report to see why Florida TaxWatch has endorsed the project.