Fort Hamer Public Boat Ramp

On Manatee River

The Manatee River is a 36-mile river in Manatee County, Florida. It forms where the East Fork and North Fork meet in the northeastern part of the county, flows west, and enters the Gulf of Mexico at the southern edge of Tampa Bay. Its watershed covers about 360 square miles. Lake Manatee lies about halfway along the river. It is a 1,174-acre reservoir built in 1967 and is Manatee County's main water supply. Below the dam the river is an estuary, and Bradenton sits on its banks. The Braden River is its main tributary. The Manatee River Estuary covers 5,766 acres and is listed as an Outstanding Florida Water. More about Manatee River.

Boating rules on Manatee River

• State manatee protection zones (Rule 68C-22.014, F.A.C.): slow-speed zones and 25 mph / 25 mph-in-channel zones on parts of the Manatee River source
• Boats must stay at least 300 yards from the Lake Manatee dam; a county-maintained no-entry overhead cable line crosses the river below the spillway source
• A warning siren signals that a dam gate is opening or closing source

Community

Where people who use Manatee River talk about it.

• Find a Boat Ramp and Kayak / Canoe Launches - Manatee County Agency
• Learn About Manatee Protection Zones - Manatee County Agency
• Fort Hamer Park Boat Ramp - Manatee County Agency
• Manatee River Estuary - Tampa Bay Water Atlas Link
• Search Reddit: r/florida Reddit
• Search all of Reddit for Manatee River, Florida Reddit

Nearby launches

• Tom Bennett Park Kayak Launch · 4.0 mi · Manatee River
• Rye Preserve Kayak Access · 4.2 mi · Manatee River
• Braden River Public Boat Ramp · 6.2 mi · Braden River
• Lake Manatee State Park (20 HP Motor Restriction) · 6.2 mi · Lake Manatee
• Highland Shores Public Boat Ramp · 6.4 mi · Manatee River
• Braden River Park Kayak Access (Long Portage) · 6.6 mi · Braden River