New boating rules officially established at popular Florida spring

Photo by Uncovering Florida, Cassie Leigh

Would-be boaters looking to hit up one of Florida's most popular springs this summer may want to double-check that their trip plans still comply with area regulations, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has approved new boating rules for Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

According to a July 19 release, the FWC approved the final ruling at its July meeting to establish a Springs Protection Zone within Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, one of Florida's most visited springs and the state's only spring-fed waterpark.

The new rule restricts vessels from beaching, mooring, anchoring, and grounding on the spring run of Weeki Wachee River, extending from the spring boil within the park up to the Rogers Park Boat Ramp — a 5.61-mile stretch of the river. It does not, however, restrict access to the spring or spring run.

With limited exceptions, most tubes and rafts would not be considered vessels under Florida law, thus allowing would-be tubers to continue making their swimming stops along the river.

The ruling follows multiple meetings between FWC Boating and Waterways staff, Hernando County officials, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the Department of Environmental Protection reviewing criteria that determined whether Weeki Wachee qualified for the creation of the Springs Protection Zone.

As stated in a release shared by the FWC on Wednesday, June 7, they'd found that the anchoring, mooring, beaching, and grounding of vessels had caused damage to the bank, vegetation, native habitats, and aquatic grasses in and around the spring, as well as along the spring's river run.

The FWC also sought public comment from interested and concerned parties through June 30.

After evaluating the presented evidence and taking public opinion into account, the FWC, DEP, Southwest Florida Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Coast Guard voted in favor of establishing the Springs Protection Zone for Weeki Wachee as of Wednesday, July 19.
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A map of the now established Springs Protection Zone can be found below:

Map of Springs Protection Zone established within Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

To read the July 19 release in its entirety, click here.
Article by Rachael Volpe