In a recent boat trip to Silver Springs with Silver River, I remembered the old, transcendental Florida that destroyed again rapidly. A powerful swirling spring with a backdrop of a tall cypress tree and moss with moss, and one of the rivers of rolling -the world is not really such a place in the world.
Unfortunately, our rivers and fountains are exposed to serious stress, and many are decreasing. You have to do more and do more to protect the river and spring.
Dr. Robert Knight, a Springs scientist and founder of the Florida Springs Institute, has mentioned excessive groundwater pumps and nitrogen pollution as the largest stress of Florida Springs. The flow rate of Silver Springs (one of the most visited tourist spots in Florida) has dropped significantly.
It is combined with nitrogen pollution and upstream damming on the Oklawaha river, which has an adverse effect on the whole ecosystem.
These effects were directly seen in the recent visit to Silver Springs. The meadow in the tap glass water is a sad gorgeous darkness that grows growing with flowing yarn -shaped algae, along with white sand and the bottom of the shell, and once reflected transparent and transparent water.
Regarding our river, breaking the dam and recovering the Oklawaha river is the past time. As a result, the Silver Springs and their rivers are reconnected to the Oklawaha and the St. Jung River to the Atlantic Ocean. The river is related to connection, and the dam confused the natural ecological balance in both the up and downstream of the dam.
The dam choks 20 freshwater spring. This is a “lost spring” that flows again when removed. During the winter, we are looking for a certain water temperature provided by the spring, including the florida manati, which is exposed to the warm water area.
The dam was built in the late 1960s as part of the incorrect cross -florid barge canal. During half a century, the ecosystem of the Oklawa River, which was trapped, has deteriorated, but has also adversely affect St. Jungs and Silver rivers.
I used to write a good business case to violate Rod Mandom. But this article is not to create a business case. Instead, we are asking us to take the stock of nature and cultural heritage given to everyone. In order to save only a part, you need to correct the necessary course.
Majorie Harrisker, a courageous woman who led the effort to stop the Cross Florida Virge Canal, talked about the need to keep the sample of our original Florida landscape as it is.
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The Oklawaha River has a stretch and looks like the Victorian Dynasty. There was a brave traveler on a small paddle wheel vapor ship that sailed from the Sentjongs River and sailed to Silver Springs along the Oklawaha River. When the dam is removed, the advanced man or woman reproduces this exotic river cruise.
Silver Springs is also part of our cultural heritage. On a trip, I was fortunate to be in a company of people who spent a lifetime to explore, research and protect silver rivers and spring.
They pointed out where the mammoths and mastodon fossils were recovered and where the paradise park was a historic place. They are familiar with both physical and cultural geography, implying a true sense. These are the necessary places to restore and save.
The Silver Springs and the Oklawaha River can restore lost beauty by removing the dam. It flows through the river, reduces groundwater extraction and pollution. Support many organizations that violate the Rod Mandom and are working on Florida’s spring restoration. This is part of Florida’s unique natural heritage, and we borrow from children and grandchildren.
Please run the river. Spring the spring.
William McKirkin is a retired US Navy’s back and outdoor lovers. He lives in Ponte Dorabeach. The articles of this opinion were originally issued by the Florida Times Union and distributed by the invading sea website (www.theinvingsea.com). This site has posted news and commentary on other environmental issues that affect climate change and florida.