Florida Springs

Most people think "Beach" when they hear Florida Vacation, but the Florida Springs were the first tourist attractions. Even Ponce de León, the first European to visit Florida was said to be in search of the fountain of youth. I don't know if Florida springs make you younger, but they sure cool you off in summer with their year round 72F degree waters. Last week, with a group of musicians and friends, we gathered at Rainbow springs about 1.5 hours north of Tampa. Let's look at Rainbow and several other Florida springs I've visited over the years as well as the Florida spring system below the fold...

So, there's about 1000 springs in Florida...

...more than any other state.
Check out the interactive map

For thousands of years the Floridan aquifer has been capturing and storing rainwater in a complex hydrological system. Florida is the fifth rainiest state in the U.S., and, on average, receives 51 inches of rain a year. About 70 percent of all rainfall returns to the atmosphere through evaporation or transpiration by plants, but Florida’s loose sandy soils and porous limestone bedrock allow around 13 inches of the rain that reaches the ground to soak into the earth. This recharges the Floridan aquifer and keeps the water flowing from the state’s springs.

The light blue color is the Florida Aquifer that we visited.
Florida’s famous springs are so large that they support entire river ecosystems, such as the Suwannee and Santa Fe, and the underlying aquifer feeding these springs provides most of the 100 to 150 gallons of water Florida residents use every day. Indoors, around 24 percent of a household’s water goes to toilets, 20 percent is used for showers, and nearly 19 percent for running faucets for everything from brushing teeth to rinsing plates. Half of all the water taken from the public supply ends up watering private lawns—some 900 million gallons a day. Of the seven billion gallons of freshwater used daily across Florida’s agriculture, industry, power plants, and public water sectors, most is taken from the Floridan aquifer.
Stretching beneath most of Florida the Floridan aquifer is the largest and deepest in the state, and reaches into parts of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina. It is an 82,000-square-mile reservoir that holds billions of gallons of freshwater—some of it perhaps 26,000 years old.

A little hokey but nice footage...

The Springs: Jewels of Florida (12 min)

Every decade has seen at least one severe and widespread drought. And the Floridan aquifer has always been able to recover, but the freshwater flowing into some springs has dropped significantly. A 2018 study revealed a 32 percent reduction in average spring flows between 1950 and 2010; divers now walk through caves that they previously had to swim through. The aquifer is in trouble, and projections are that Florida’s freshwater basins may get even drier.

Florida springs complete documentary produced for PBS. (58 min)

Time stamps
5:17 secrets of FL springs
8:56 Weeki Watchee springs
15:27 Clay Springs
17:48 Fern Hammock Springs
45:23 FL springs task force
45:31 task force findings
46:00 decline in water quality

At the heart of the problem is over-extraction: there are simply too many people taking too much water from the aquifer. In the 1900s developers began to capitalize on Florida’s natural beauty and warm climate, draining wetlands to build homes and fueling development that turned Florida into one of the fastest growing states: an estimated 900 people a day move here, adding another 300,000 people a year making more demands on an already stressed water supply. And most of that water is drawn from the Floridan aquifer, dangerously depleting its water levels.

A journey into the history, beauty, and threats faced by the Florida Springs and their connection to the Floridan Aquifer.

Saving Florida's Springs (39 min)

We gathered in Dunellon near Rainbow springs...

...with a cluster of first magnitude springs ( >65 million gallons/day) near by.
Check out the different springs and their magnitudes here.

Rainbow Springs Group includes at least twelve spring vents and is a first magnitude Outstanding Florida Spring Group, located in Marion County in the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The clear waters of Rainbow Springs start their journey halfway between Ocala and the Gulf of Mexico. With a combined average outflow of 450 million gallons of water per day, Rainbow is one of the largest spring groups in Florida, and is located in Rainbow Springs State Park. According to the state park system, “Today, the Rainbow River is a designated National Natural Landmark, a Florida aquatic preserve, and an Outstanding Florida Water.” Although the caves are too small for diving, the magnificent water and state park facilities make this spring a swimmer’s paradise. Downstream from the headsprings, several smaller springs flow forth from limestone walls providing a rare glimpse at the karst geology that makes Florida’s springs possible. From a private attraction that competed with Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee for tourists in the early 1900s to a state park of national recognition, Rainbow Springs offers a vibrant sample of Florida’s relationship with its springs.
There's a fun historical photo slide show at the site above.

The Rainbow River flows out of the spring and makes for a nice float on tubes, kayaks, canoes, or boats.

(9 min)
We enjoyed our paddle.

We went swimming most days in the spring...

It was 90F+ so it sure felt good to cool off in the spring...

The Rainbow River begins here. You can rent Kayaks, tubes, or canoes here to begin your float. They offer a shuttle to bring you back...

There's more to see at the park...

Once a tourist attraction, they took rocks and boulders from the nearby phosphate mines (now played out) and built artificial waterfalls interspersed around the gardens and walking paths...

(4 min) Rainbow Springs State Park in Florida is a beautiful park that features clear teal-blue water that is over ten thousand years old. Rainbow Springs is the 4th largest spring in Florida. If you’re looking for a Florida oasis, this is it. Rainbow Springs State Park’s refreshing cool waters of the headsprings are a perfect place to go for a swim or snorkel. You can also tube or kayak down the gentle spring run that is known as Rainbow Springs River. Besides the water activities, there are also shady gardens laced with azaleas, magnolias, and oaks. There are about 2.5 miles of paved trails where you can leisurely walk through these beautiful gardens and waterfalls.

We also visited Crystal River, closer to the coast, for a boat trip around Kings Bay. Laced with a multitude of springs including one with easy drive up and free public access for swimming.

Manatees are one of the big attractions here. People snorkel all around them as they graze.

The manatees didn't seem bothered by all the people, but I felt bad for them...

Here's one snatching a grass snack from the bank.

Right in Crystal River is another large spring, Homosassa Springs...

(14 min) The State operates a wildlife park at this location.
During winter manatees gather to savor the relative warmth of the 72 degree F springs
Homosassa Springs State Park, a winter refuge for Florida’s beloved manatees! Located on the Gulf Coast, this park is a must-visit for anyone wanting to see manatees up close in their natural habitat. During the cooler months, Homosassa Springs State Park becomes a haven for these gentle giants, offering visitors unforgettable views and educational experiences.

Just South of Homasassa is the Chassasahowitzka River. We'll have to catch it next trip along with Weeki Watchee (5 min family visit to the park)

A few other easy access springs we like to visit...
Just South of Tallahassee is Wakulla Springs:

Several Tarzan movies and the Creature from the Black Lagoon were filmed here.
Manatees are often seen here as well...

There's an old hotel for extended stays, swimming, boat trips with nature tours, and nearby canoe and kayak outfitters.
We loved our stay here several years ago.

Heading South on Hwy 19 (the FL GA parkway) is Fanning spring along the Suwannee River (as so many springs are). Located on the highway it is easy access. It is another first magnitude spring.

There was a large crowd swimming as we stopped in last Sunday on our way to Rainbow...

The day before they had to limit entry due to over crowding...

Just through the Cyprus trees you can see the River.

The blue green spring water mixes with the brown tannin stained water originating in the Okefenokee and flowing westward to the gulf. They offer cabins for rent.

Down River from Fanning spring, toward Cedar Key (a great taste of old Florida), is Manatee springs.

I understand they now have Glamping accomodations.

So it was a great trip to Dunellen. We played music every night and played on the water every day. There's plenty we didn't get to see, we missed several springs and canoeing the Withlacoochee. That gives us reason to go again. If you're in the region and would like to visit some of these springs, you might consider a park pass, each park cost less than ten dollars each.

So I hope you enjoyed the vicarious visit, and learned a bit about Florida's incredible spring system. Of course the thread is open to any and all discussion of the many issues around our planet, from the Thailand - Cambodia conflict to domestic politics like the Russiagate accusations (to my mind designed to change the topic from the Epstein files). So the floor is yours!