We’ve spotted a manatee on two consecutive tours of the Silver River. It is a fairly large adult manatee. On both occassions we have seen it about one mile east of the basin of Silver Springs. It is easy to spot looking down in the water due to it’s light coloring and large size.
In the 28 years I have been on the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers, this is only the second manatee I’ve ever seen. It probably traveled the Harris Chain of Lakes through the lock at Moss Bluff. However the manatees’ journey ends, we’ve enjoyed the pleasure of seeing it on the River.
When I heard about the manatee in the Silver River I figured it came from the St. Johns, somehow getting past the Rodman Dam. I’ve never heard of manatees in the Harris Chain.