Waterways

Established by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners, the Waterways Advisory Committee maintains the County's waterways for both commercial and recreational purposes.

Waterways

Spring Protection Zone

 

Vessel operators are prohibited from anchoring, mooring, beaching or grounding a vessel within the Weeki Wachee River Springs Protection Zone. (F.S. 327.45) It encompasses 5.61 miles from Rogers Park to the headsprings in the state park. Violators are subject to a $140 fine. With limited exceptions, most tubes and rafts are not considered vessels under Florida law.

 

The springs protection zone is designed to protect the river’s ecology and does not alter the public access to the spring. It only regulates vessels, not the activities of people.

Activities like swimming, snorkeling and floating on a raft or tube are permitted. 

Visitors are encouraged to use best practices to help protect the river such as not trampling vegetation, climbing on banks or trees, or discarding litter.

Contact Us

Waterways Department
Phone: (352) 754-4742

Important Phone Numbers

U.S. Coast Guard
(352) 447-6900
Website
Florida Marine Patrol (now FWC)
(800) DIAL-FMP
Website
Hernando County Sheriff
(352) 754-6830
Website
Fish & Wildlife Commission
(850) 410-0656
Website
Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary -Flotilla 15-8
4340 Calienta Street
Hernando Beach, Florida
(352) 596 - 6737

Boaters Alert

Report Marine Invaders: 1-877-STOP-ANS

Non-native, invasive plants and animals can seriously damage Florida’s precious marine environments and the economy they support.

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