Myakka has a Water Problem

February 12-17,2026                                               Most Recent Posts:
Myakka River State Park                                        We’re at Animal Kingdom
Sarasota, Florida                                                       Epcot Then Beaches & Cream

After leaving Disney World and my girls, I also had to leave my campsite at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey and move on to Myakka River State Park near Sarasota.

When I checked in to Myakka, I was told they were still having a potable water problem.  I had been here two years ago and that was the case then.  They had put in a new water system a number of years ago and it had gone badly.  The contractor was now being sued by the state.  There is a new contractor finally but they are still giving out gallons of drinking water to all campers.  The water is safe for washing dishes and showering they say but not to drink.  No news on when the water situation will be rectified.

I’m in a nice full hook up pull through site but a big yard but have gotten very lazy in my set up.  I used to do the full thing,  mat, chairs, table cloth…..but now if it is a gravel not sand site I don’t even put out the mat.   By myself I can sit in my chair on gravel and eat on a table with no cloth. 

Second thing I discover about water at Myakka is that they have been in a drought for quite some time now and the river is so low no one can kayaking in it.  The picture below shows people walking from the put in through where the river usually is at the end of the dirt path and sometimes over it.  But not now.

The low water level also tends to draw more alligators to its banks.   There are 4 or 5 on this side and an equal number on the other side.  But wait until you see the river further down.

Here’s three of the toothy grins.  Just for you Pam Sprouse.

When I come to Myakka I do a lot of kayaking which obviously isn’t going to happen this year.  Thankfully they have a number of hiking choices.

After checking out the kayak launch area I crossed the bridge and set off on one of those,  the River Path which  begins in a lovely wooded area.

Eventually you can leave the wooded area for a walk along the river but the path his never been this far from the water and is sometimes unavailable when it is covered with water.

A golden slippered Snowy Egret.

A tri colored heron.

A watchful Great Egret

The next day I take another hike over to what is called the bird walk.  It was a long boardwalk out overlooking the marshes, floodplain, and mudflats adjacent to Upper Myakka Lake and the Myakka River.   Record storms severely damaged it.  It is unusable due  to sagging and leaning and will require a complete rebuild.    I was last here in January of 2024 so this is a relatively recent development as is the drought which now allows walking all around the boardwalk which formerly went way out into the lake.   It would be a lot easier to replace with the water so low.

All of what you can see in this picture is normally under water that’s how much the lake has receded.  I’m near the boardwalk taking this picture and you can barely see the lake whose banks are strewn with dead fish.

After seeing the sad situation at the boardwalk, I go over to the boat basin where there is no launching of boats, no airboat rides (no loss in my opinion).  Notice the building in the distance. More on it later.

At the end of the basin I catch a glimpse of some pink.  do you see it?

I’ve never seen the spoonbills this close to the concessions.  I guess because they aren’t operating the birds feel safer.

The Roseate Spoonbill is a real treat to watch as he skims the water for treats. 

Here’s a video of him skimming.  Turn down the sound.  The wind is too loud.  The video is a bit jumpy.  The cameraperson leaves something to be desired.  But the spoonbill is stunning.

Remember that building in the distance above?  It was once the restaurant and gift shop.  It’s been under reconstruction for several years but I was told it will finally reopen before summer.

In the meantime the Lazy Gator Cafe has turned into a food truck where you can still get Gator Bites and Gator Stew.

Here’s the building which looks to me just like it did and the gift shop is up there and running.  Only the restaurant on the left side of the building is not quite ready.

From there I walk down the shore line to an area that used to be called the weir.
The weir was a concrete dam at the outflow of Upper Myakka Lake, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938 to keep water levels high for recreation, such as boating and fishing, during the dry season.   Birds often gathered just beyond it.

I’m glad to say the weir was removed in 2022 to restore natural hydrological flows, improve fish passage, and rehabilitate the floodplain marsh, replacing an artificial ecosystem with natural wetlands.   And then came the drought

But the birds are still here and the gators….. the far shore shows  some of the dozens I counted.

I’m serious about dozens of gators.  Take a look at this short video and turn the sound down since the wind is loud here too.

Wish I could have gotten the call of the Limpkin.  It’s enough to scare you.

Myakka is one of the only places I reliably see both Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks.

Heading back through the trees away from the water.

Other things I did since I couldn’t kayak included attending both Tuesday Coffees held by the Friends of Myakka River State Park at the Log Pavilion constructed by the CCC in the 1930’s.   Tuesday the 17th they were celebrating Mardi Gras.   Check out the cake.

The following Tuesday was a nippy one so the fireplace warmth was very welcome.

I think it is wonderful that the Friends of Myakka do this every week so that campers can meet each other, the Rangers and the friends.

My favorite two long term volunteers, Becky and Gary Morse.  Gary built the great fire and Becky dished up the delicious hot chocolate.   Aren’t they darling!

My next post will close out my two weeks at Myakka with other Myakka alternatives to kayaking and close out February with an unexpected trip.