The Myth That Won't Die: "Only Rodman Brings in the Money"
If you've followed the Rodman Dam debate for more than five minutes, you've heard this claim: "Blow the dam? And destroy the only thing keeping this economy alive? Show me where else along the Ocklawaha people are spending money!"
The Myth That Won't Die: "Only Rodman Brings in the Money"
If you've followed the Rodman Dam debate for more than five minutes, you've heard this claim: "Blow the dam? And destroy the only thing keeping this economy alive? Show me where else along the Ocklawaha people are spending money!"
It's a compelling argument—if you don't look at the numbers.
Let's look at the numbers.
The Myth
Dam supporters frame Rodman Reservoir as the economic heartbeat of the Ocklawaha region. The implication is clear: without the reservoir's bass fishery, there's nothing. No tourism. No recreation dollars. Just an empty river nobody cares about.
The Reality
The natural Ocklawaha River system is already generating more tourism revenue than the reservoir—and it's not even close.
Silver Springs: The $35 Million Elephant in the Room
Right at the headwaters of the Silver River (which feeds into the Ocklawaha) sits Silver Springs State Park—one of Florida's most iconic natural attractions. Glass-bottom boats have been running tours here since the 1870s, long before anyone dreamed up a barge canal.
Today, Silver Springs draws roughly 400,000 visitors per year. They come for the crystal-clear springs, kayak trips, wildlife viewing (yes, including those famous monkeys), and cultural festivals.
The economic impact? According to Florida State Parks' own analysis: $35–36 million per year in direct economic impact, supporting over 500 jobs.
Compare that to the Rodman Campground's 67 sites.
The Bass Fishing Reality Check
Here's something the "save Rodman" crowd doesn't advertise: when it comes to bass fishing in this region, Rodman isn't even the main attraction.
Bassmaster ranks the best bass fishing destinations in America. Within 50 miles of Palatka:
- St. Johns River: #4 in the nation
- Rodman Reservoir: #8
That's right—the natural river system outranks the artificial reservoir. Many of the trophy bass caught in local tournaments come from the St. Johns and surrounding natural lakes, not from Rodman.
And Putnam County? It's home to 267 other lakes—many of them spring-fed—that host fishing tournaments and recreational boating year-round. The notion that Rodman is the region's sole economic engine doesn't hold water.
What the Research Actually Shows
Here's where it gets interesting.
A 2017 University of Florida economic analysis (led by Dr. Alan Hodges) looked at what would happen to recreational activity if the Ocklawaha were restored to a free-flowing river. The findings:
- Projected increase in recreational activity: 28%
- A restored river supports more diverse uses—paddling, wildlife viewing, migratory fish species, ecotourism—than a single-purpose bass reservoir.
The bottom line from the study:
| Scenario | 10-Year Economic Impact |
|---|---|
| Restore the river | +$47.2 million net benefit |
| Keep the dam | −$5.3 million net loss |
Read that again. Keeping the dam costs money. Restoring the river makes money.
Why? A free-flowing Ocklawaha would bring back migratory species like striped bass and shad, expand paddling opportunities, reduce costly maintenance, and create a connected corridor from the St. Johns through Silver Springs—a tourism asset you can't manufacture.
The Bigger Picture
Nobody's saying Rodman Reservoir has zero value. It's a popular fishing spot for a dedicated group of anglers. That's real.
But "popular with some anglers" is not the same as "irreplaceable economic engine." The data tells a different story:
- Natural springs and rivers already generate more revenue
- The St. Johns outranks Rodman as a bass fishery
- Economic projections favor restoration, not retention
Before the dam existed, tourists traveled the Ocklawaha on steamboats to visit Silver Springs. That natural system drew people for generations. It still can.
The Bottom Line
The "only Rodman makes money" argument sounds good in a Facebook comment. But it crumbles under the weight of actual economic data.
The natural Ocklawaha River system—springs, free-flowing river, connected waterways—isn't just an environmental asset. It's an economic one. And the research says restoring it would be a better investment than maintaining an aging dam built for a barge canal that never happened.
The money's already flowing along the Ocklawaha. It's time to let the river flow too.
Sources: Florida State Parks Economic Impact Study; University of Florida/Dr. Alan Hodges 2017 Analysis; Bassmaster National Rankings; Reunite the Rivers