The Other Cross Florida Canal

When we crossed from the west to east coast of Florida earlier this year we were on a waterway that connected the Caloosahatchee and St Lucie Rivers and Lake Okeechobee in south Florida to get us east to west, with additional constructed canals and locks, to get us up and down in elevation to get across the state. We'd heard that a second waterway had been started, stopped, then abandoned without getting finished farther north. This second Cross Florida Waterway was envisioned to connect the Crystal River on the west coast to the Oklawaha River which connects and flows into the St Johns. Because it was not completed the aerial photos show this waterway with little if any development along its path. We decided to take a look see.

From the St Johns a constructed canal and lock/dam raises you some 20 feet to the level of Rodman Reservoir. At the upstream end of the lake the Oklawaha River flows in and our hope was to explore this. What we found was a lake/reservoir that had never been completed. A minefield of tree stumps filled our view and after picking our way slowly to the upstream river end we found the Oklawaha was only 2 feet deep! Still it was a very tranquil place and we enjoyed the evening at anchor to ourselves.

No kidding!

We found a minefield of stumps to pick our way thru the lake/reservoir. Our propellers and rudders were quivering at the thought of them!

Hmmmmmmmm the Oklawaha was only a couple feet deep, not enough for Happy Happy to be safe safe.

Sunsets at anchor with a cool one are always a good way to end a day of exploring.