Florida & Georgia - Silver Glenn entrance water depth

Anyone been in lately? I would like 39" but I must have 30".

Also, does anyone know the channel carrying depth in reference to the St. Johns river water level reference depth?

Thanks.

PS. On another subject, how aggressive are the cops lately on the alcohol ban?

If you come in from a little bit to the southeast you'll have the 30" or a little more to hard bottom, but the real challenge can be the eel grass coming up and clogging the intakes.Sometimes even trimming up the outboards I have to clean off the intakes a time or two. But that said I will say I have seen some large boats with either I/O's or with straight shaft drives, some of which I'm sure draw a minimum of 24" to bottom of rudders or props.

On alcohol, if they see obviously marked containers they will fine you heavily. We always pour all our stuff into plain cups like tervis tumblers and don't act stupid or talk like you've been drinking and never had a problem. And when you're pouring into your unmarked cups, do it below the gunnels or in a cabin if you have one. Just be very inconspicuous and you should be fine.
If you have to be obvious, stay outside the run in the lake and you'll be fine.

There was a no wake sign on the south side coming in which is what I used as "landmark" to come in but it has been moved this year further south so it will put you in the grass if you follow that in. It's kind of hard to say if you don't have any experience but you want a little south of a direct inshore approach. You should have no depth issues and stay to the left once you get into the spring. You probably won't have enough water to make the full loop but you can turn around at the end of the run. I have a 28' HydraSport w/ twins and I can do the full loop.

vc, I see you live in Welaka. We have a condo there. Would love to get w/ you if you know anything about fishing that area of the river for my in-laws.

I've been to Silver Glen several times---put in at ramp in Deland and wandered up the St Johns. Absolutely gorgeous ride. Might also want to wander down south to Hontoon Island State Park--super place.

There are severla places along the St Johns between Deland and Silver Glen to eat--excellent food and pleasant atmosphere.

Be careful when you exit the river onto Lake George. Watch the markers and follow them carefully. Also, Lake George can whip up pretty good if wind picks up.

Swing a little wide (north) of marker for Silver Glen and just go slow and watch color of water. I've seen cabin cruisers in there that would draw at least 24"--30 is going to be close but i think you can make if if you take it slow and easy.

Just looked at NAVIONICS app on my cellphone--it shows depths in the channel from Lake George into the Springs at from 5 feet to as much as 12 feet

This site might help also--

http://www.thiswaytothe.net/springs/pages/silver-glen-springs-marion.html

Great pics and info about Silver Glen

http://www.fs.usda.gov/photogallery/ocala/recreation/wateractivities/gallery/?cid=2043&position=Promo

Did they ever clean up the derelict boats and huge barge looking things that were permanently anchored up in there?....

JMT34,
I sent you a pm, and nice boat - I've always liked the 28 Hydra.

In there yesterday. 2' under my bottom in some spots right prior to the run.

Yes, the large 500' marker/pilings are gone. Little no wake is there and stay wide of it. You can follow the little markers into the run. People haven't messed them up yet.

Saw one FWC in there all saturday.

Overall, I'd say the water is a little low but not bad at all.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/shoresls1/springs1-1.jpg

I used to go there when i was a kid, 20 years ago. The place is beautiful.

They closed it down I think last October or the autumn before, for major cleaning. Banks eroding, etc. Not sure if they vacuumed the toxic algae that has been taking over the Vallsenaria natural grass on bottom. When I was there two summers ago, there was a buzzard on almost every picnic table, rooting through people's picnics, while they were out swimming. One had his head completely inside a loaf of bread. Talked to a park person (not a ranger) who said the boaters try to walk into the park without paying, and use the portable bathrooms. Sometimes they even overturn them after dark, just for a laugh.

They closed it down I think last October or the autumn before, for major cleaning. Banks eroding, etc. Not sure if they vacuumed the toxic algae that has been taking over the Vallsenaria natural grass on bottom. When I was there two summers ago, there was a buzzard on almost every picnic table, rooting through people's picnics, while they were out swimming. One had his head completely inside a loaf of bread. Talked to a park person (not a ranger) who said the boaters try to walk into the park without paying, and use the portable bathrooms. Sometimes they even overturn them after dark, just for a laugh.

Was not closed. What they did do is move the rope they use to keep boaters out of the spring area to cover a larger area keeping boats out for the winter and then moved it back to its original location in the spring. They did it again this past winter for the second year in a row now and it's back to its normal status again.

They closed it down I think last October or the autumn before, for major cleaning. Banks eroding, etc. Not sure if they vacuumed the toxic algae that has been taking over the Vallsenaria natural grass on bottom. When I was there two summers ago, there was a buzzard on almost every picnic table, rooting through people's picnics, while they were out swimming. One had his head completely inside a loaf of bread. Talked to a park person (not a ranger) who said the boaters try to walk into the park without paying, and use the portable bathrooms. Sometimes they even overturn them after dark, just for a laugh.

There is no porta potty tipping going on.


why would anyone do that? That's kinda counter-productive to your usage.

Thanks for the replies.

coming from the west coast. where is a good place to put in and access the spring area?

coming from the west coast. where is a good place to put in and access the spring area?

Astor has a decent boat ramp it is right off Route 40. The ramp is only a few miles from Lake George you can access Silver Glen or take a longer trip up to Salt Springs.

Astor bridge boat ramp is probably the most common place.

coming from the west coast. where is a good place to put in and access the spring area?

I agree if coming from your area go to Astor, right off of SR 40. Nice ramp although it can have a little bit of current if the river is running, but manageable. And a nice parking area across the street. It's been some years since I launched a boat there, but if I recall right there were a couple slow/no wake areas and the time from there to Silver Glenn was about 40 minutes I think, running around 30mph. Scenic though - a lot of "old Florida" on this River.
I was just there this weekend and someone had re marked a "channel" out of pvc pipes to keep you in deeper water. Hopefully still there after all the partiers left :grin:
It came in at an angle from the direction you would be coming from - southeast, into the Glen. I had trim up the outboards mainly to just keep from burying the outdrives in the eel grass, but the hard bottom was plenty deep. Keep the alcohol hidden if you go inside.

thanks for the info. we are thinking about going up this weekend.

just keep an eye on the wind 1fast6, George can get nasty in a hurry. Only about 14' deep. I was really glad to be in the 28 this weekend and not the deck boat, lol.

if it gets windy that lake gets nasty and fast.