The Lower Withlacoochee Keeper
The lower Withlacoochee was once called the singing
river by locals. The mighty Withlacoochee sings no
more. This is a story worthy of a Greek tragedy.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LOWER WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER.
The Lower Withlacoochee River is almost 2 million years old. For eons it's HEAD SPRINGS called RAINBOW SPRINGS sets just
less than 20 miles from it coastal mouth in the GULF.
RAINBOW SPRINGS is a first magnitude spring. In fact; it is the fourth largest spring in the state of Florida.At one time
Pumping over 490 million gallons a day of fresh spring water into the Lower Withlacoochee River.
During the construction of the ill fated Cross Florida Barge Canal and it's complete failure by the ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS totally BLOCKED off the last 10 miles of the Lower Withlacoochee River .They bisectected our River to reach a
rock quarry around 1964.Florida needed roads.
The original traverse path of the CFBC was to traverse the withlacoochee river and into the gulf. This did not include
bisectecting the Lower Withlacoochee River. By doing so the ACOE'S devastated a entire Coastal Eco System. Mainly
effecting only LEVY COUNTY.
The LWK's mission is to solely reconnect our River to our right to our Head Springs and it's daily fresh pure spring water.
Locks. Dams and spillways have caused so much destruction in our water shed.
ACT OF CONGRESS
On March 3rd ,1823.Congress formalized; "That in the NEW TERRITORY of Florida that ALL EAST AND WEST Coast rivers
shall remain FOREVER navigable highways".
The Withlacoochee River also has a Prestatehood navigable river proven in the second Seminole war. At the turn of the
20th century PORT INGLIS was the number ONE port in the WORLD for fertilizer grade phosphate in commerce coming
from our Head Spring and the Rainbow River.
Our spring water is being outright stolen from us in a 3800 acre 28 feet deep man MADE lake .Solely for boating and bass
fishing. Meanwhile Our ENTIRE coast is suffering. Salt water fish can no longer reach their ancestral spawning grounds.
Please help the lower withlacoochee keeper in anyway possible to fight such a large
Battle.Every cent goes into the continued fight to restore the withlacoochee river.
We will soon be a 501 C -3 (b) non profit
organization. The full story can be read by clicking on the history.
Please help us make a difference! Help the LWK fight this history making case and once and for all free the Lower
Withlacoochee River!!.Any Environmental Lawyer's that truly care about our environment? The LWK needs your help!
Thank you
Ken Raulerson
Director.