What Makes North Florida Springs North Florida’S …and the o isappearingivers prings So nticing D R S therein… SE D R ften crystal blue, but sometimes the color ike brilliant aquamarine gems, Florida’s natural springs adorn natural springs are always a wonder. Springs occur when water the landscape throughout the Suwannee River region, exudi n their journey to the Gulf of Mexico, most rivers in pressure causes a natural flow of groundwater ontoof tea, the Northearth’s Florida’ssurface a mystique that has lur north central Florida begin in the gently sloping As rain filters down into ed man for centuries. ng highlands of Georgia and North Florida. From there rainwater slowly dissolve the aquifer’sFloridan limestone.aquifer system, This natural can create acids large in the At once tranquil and translucent, dark and deep, these dazzling pools they wander and loop south and west before cracks, cavities and tunnels through which groundwater flows. . have enticed the curious, from ancient Indians to present-day cave divers. crossing over an ancient feature known as the ofof Revered for their “healing” properties, these mineral springs onc Cody Scarp, a prehistoric shoreline that now As rainwater enters or “recharges” the aquifer, pressure is placed on the people of every race and culture suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and separates the higher elevations of the Northern water already there. This pressure moves water through the aquifer thethe through crack other chronic conditions. Some were later converted into posh healthe attracted Highlands from the lower Gulf Coastal Lowlands. to the surface ats and places tunnels, called and springs. sometimes this water flows out naturally resorts by shrewd businessmen. While crossing the Cody Scarp, rivers “sink” below the early Indian villages or Spanish missi As historic sites of earth’s surface, disappearing into the limestone caverns of When the openings are large, spring flow may these clear, natural pools today are protected and ons, many of the Floridan Aquifer before they “rise” again in the Gulf become the source of rivers such as the preserved for public recreation. uwanneeuwannee Coastal Lowlands. Ichetucknee. Other springs, such as Manatee, The Santa Fe is one such river. It sinks below the surface Fanning, Troy, and Madison Blue S Cool in the summer and wa S contribute nea in O’Leno State Park and rises back to the surface three miles southwest of springs attract creatures greatrm and in small,the winter, from the gallons per dayrly to 368the million tiny endanger the sink, just outside the Town of High Springs. The three-mile interruption in ed sand grain snail to the giant, gentle Suwannee River. manatee. Albino crayfish and shrimp, adapted only for cave existence, the river — created by the sinking and rising water — provides a natural bridge over which man and animal have crossed for centuries. navigate blindly through the underwater caverns. Gulf sturgeon, a federal When rivers flood, the pressure created by rising threatened species, use the springs as resting places during their migrati The Suwannee is the only river in the region that does not rise and fall in floodwaters causes man up the Suwannee River to spawn. relation to the Cody Scarp, although it may have done so in the past. Through Falmouth Spring in Suwanneey springs County to reverse is one flow. spring which does this regularly. on time, this ancient river has eroded a 30-foot deep channel into the limestone North Florida’s springs have a rich and fascinating past; their futu formation between the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico. to be determined. Popularity sometimes breeds problems such as erosion Springs tell us a lot about current hydrologic trends and human impacts on our water and pollution. As you visit and enjoy these natural wonde re is yet your part to preserve and protect them. Remember to stay on designated flow may indicate drought co supplies. Low spring excessive groundwater withdrawals. paths and walkways. Avoid disturbing plants and animals thatrs, please live in do and nditions, or it may signal around the springs. Take care not to discard trash on the shore or in the water. Above all, be good stewards of what Marjorie Stoneman Douglas so aptly called “bowls of liquid light.”

ineaments are surface expressions es of linear geologic featur ave ountry that can be mapped C C

inkholesinkholes using satellite imagery he Suwannee River valley is known to or aerial photography. SS divers and spelunkers around the world as In Florida, lineamentswith the ore sinkholes occur in Florida than in any other state, and many are associatedfractures in “Cave Country.” The region’s warm climate, subsurface North Florida lakes once began as sinkholes. Sinkholes come in clear, refreshing springs and spectacular cave the limestone r.that These make systems make it one of the world’s premier all sizes and shapes. Some look like big bowls, while others look more like up the aquife arstarst shafts, or “chimneys.” Some are shallow, yet others are deep enough to lead lineaments influence the KK destinations for underwater explorers. Nearly directly to the aquifer. direction of groundwater 100 miles of underwater cave systems have flow and spring flow. opographyopographybeen mapped by volunteer divers since the Sinkholes are unpredictable, and may form gradually or suddenly; Each line in the map TT eep below the ground in F first Florida cave divers explored Silver Springs but they all develop in basically the same way. As rainwater seeps represents a lineament. lorida lorida has one of the largest lies a layer of porous limestone in 1953. into the ground, acid in the water dissolves the thick layers of concentrations of freshwater springs or dolostone known as the F underground limestone that underlie the entire state. This creates Aquifer. This aquifer is the primaryloridan source Expansive tunnels and cavities (“rooms”) in the world (nearly 600), and almost big, empty underground cavities. If the layers of sand and dirt of Florida’s drinking water. half of those are found within the in the underground limestone which sit on top of the limestone fall into these cavities, the largest aquifers It is one of Suwannee Basin. in the aquifer may be as tall as a 10-story the result is a sinkhole. United States, extending building and hundreds of yards across Florida and through parts Sixty-five million gallons of water per day flow across. Connected by systems of long, of Georgia, Alabama and South from each of North Florida’s 21 first magnitude adjoining passageways, these rooms often are aterater ualityuality springs because they discharge an average of 100 Carolina. Above SWALE and below the large enough for scuba divers to swim through, SINK WW QQ cubic feet or more water per second. Springs are aquifer are other layers of gravel, HOLE sand, clay, dolom or to drive DPVs (driver propulsion vehicles) classified using a discharge ite or limestone. through. prings are a “window” into the aquifer from which they flow. The system devised by the Divers enter the underwater caves through water quality of a spring reflects the overall condition of the aquifer. United States In some places, the spring heads, sinkholes, and on rare occasions, Springs flow from the Floridan aquifer system, the source of most of Geological Floridan Aquifer’s limestone la through “swallow holes” or siphons. These the drinking water in the region. Survey in yers are thousands EXTENSIVE of feet thi openings are easily accessible to divers because ck; in ot SOLUTION 1927. hers, the layers Rock, soil and land-use characteristics in the areas that recharge the are many are located on public lands, within ACTIVITY shallow. Water is a IN CAVE AND ble to flow SPRING aquifer and springs can have an impact on water quality. Many First-magnitude springs through th LIMESTONE e limestone’s many navigable waterways, or in privately owned kinds of water-soluble materials can enter the aquifer discharge interconnected holes and empty spaces. commercial parks that encourage cave diving. when rainwater recharges the aquifer. Soluble 64 million gallons of water or more per day — The result is a unique an d complex terrain materials found naturally in groundwater include or 100 cubic feet per second that scientists call “k STREAM arst” topograp CAVERNOUS — land who hy *Note: Proof of certification by a recognized training agency UNDERWAT minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and se shape is in ER SPRIN fluenced by the G Second-magnitude springs discharge dissolving of und such as the National Association for Cave Diving or the he Advance carbonate. erground limesto d Stages between 6.4 and 64 million gallons of water layers. ne National Speleological Society’s Cave Diving interconn of Karst F ected passages ormations. Section is required for access to all or all of prio that form Limestone per day — or between 10 and 100 cubic feet per r sur undergr has wel Different kinds of land uses can introduce potentially cave sites. sinkholes. face draina ound drainage systemsl developed Ca ge. Overbu second ves may fo rden has collapsed which harmful soluble materials such as pesticides and nitrates. limestone rm. The land into captur Third-magnitude springs discharge ’s voids. Gi surfa cavities e much examples of caverno nnie Springs, ce has been lo forming swal Once in the aquifer, these materials can flow with the Falmouth Spr wered due to es or between 0.64 and 6.4 million gallons of water us underwater loss of Florida Geo ings and Li sand into ground water over long distances, finding their way logical Survey springs that occur in N ttle River Springs the per day — or between 1 and 10 cubic feet S.P. No. are just three into drinking water, springs and rivers. Proper 35 orth Florida. per second management of land use activities is essential to avoiding water contamination. Reprinted September 2008

SSprgs_of_Suwannee_pg1_cj.inddprgs_of_Suwannee_pg1_cj.indd 1 88/22/2008/22/2008 4:05:574:05:57 PMPM n he reesrees I The at e r hehe hehe ofofuwanneeuwannee TT eelgrass and strap-le W TT TT SS af sag are among the submerged plants that form Map  Spring Name Fee Recreation Available ypress, maple, planer elm, buttonbush and dense beds in the sandy swamp privet grow in the swamps fringing the 1 White Springs Other trees found on spring bottoms of Florida’s springs springs or spring runs. and spring-fed streams. Their tough, 2 Suwannee Springs strap-like leaves can withstand st banks near the water are the river birch and willow. The live oak, overcup oak, blue 3 Holton Creek Rise beech, and hickories grow higher up on the banks. Occasional seasonal flooding rong currents. Dense carpets of 4 Falmouth Springs doesn't bother these trees. Native wild. azaleas In the bloomfall, swamp on the black high gum banks trees of theturn color, moss — which have no tr water 5 Madison Blue ■ Suwannee and Santa Fe during spring flowers or roots — also growue leaves,on hard surfaces 6 Anderson Springs adding splashes of bright red to the swamps. in areas of flo w. Thriving in areas with less flow are 7 Charles Springs the more highly branched water milfoil, an 8 Lafayette Blue ■ grass, an alga with a strong, garlic odor. d musk ■ 9 Peacock Springs Suwannee Springson the Suwannee River 10 Convict Springs ■

ocated on the Suwannee River 6 1/2 miles Today, the remains of 11 Royal Springs north of Live Oak, Suwannee Springs has the spring pool make the been a part of the region’s colorful history for springs a popular 12 Troy Springs centuries drawing Native Americans, pioneers, swimming hole for locals 13 Ruth Springs Seminole War soldiers and steamboat captains to and visitors alike. the sulphurous waters that flow from 14 Little River Springs this second-magnitude spring. Suwannee Springs are 15 Branford Springs owned by the Suwannee River 16 Ichetucknee Springs ■ A railroad extension line built Water Management District and The Town of Branfordon the Suwannee River during the Civil War from are located near the Spirit of the 17 Poe Springs ■ Live Oak to Dupont, Georgia, Suwannee River Music Park and rom the high bluffs on the east bank of The town’s 700 residents share 18 Gilchrist Blue ■ later carried hundreds of Campground, which features the Suwannee River, 10 miles upstream the Branford Greenway wealthy invalids to the hotels and nationally known concerts including the ■ from where it joins the Santa Fe, flows a second- recreational trail with 19 Ginnie Springs cottages surrounding an elaborately Blues Festival, Suwannee (Country Music) magnitude spring that has lured settlers from the strollers, rollerbladers and constructed spring pool and facilities Jam,Cajun Nights and more. For more early Timucuan Indians, pioneers and log sawyers, bicyclists. The five-mile before the turn of the century. information, call (386) 364-1683. to modern-day farmers and cave divers from paved trail begins at the 20 Guaranto Springs throughout the world. downtown springs and ends at Little River 21 Hart Springs ■ Springs Recreation Area. First known as Rowlands Bluff, this dynamic spring town welcomed steamboats, ferries and cargo boats. Restaurants nearby and in town feature gulf 22 Otter Springs ■ After pioneer railroad tycoon Henry Plant brought seafood and local “farm town” favorites. 23 Fanning Springs ■ nimalsnimals the railroad to this port, residents changed its name Accommodations include motels and AA in 1886 to “New Branford” in honor of Plant’s vacation ranches. For more information, 24 Manatee Springs ■ hometown in Connecticut. contact the Suwannee County Chamber of f you’re quiet — and lucky — you may see a variety of wild Commerce at (386) 362-3071. animals. But remember: these are not pets, an threatened or cornered, they will bite or otherwise defend themselves. Troy Springs on the Suwannee River Deer, bobcat, raccoons and other animals come to d if they feel drink. While canoeing, you may encounter beavers and their dams, or be till visible at the bottom of the Troy A hamlet known as Old Troy was located followed by a curious river otter. If you are very lucky, springs you for a cool spring run in the Suwannee River is the near the springs and served as the Lafayette hull of the steamer ship Madison, a floating County seat during the early territorial period. may see an endangered West Indian manatee. Scenic Fishing Hiking Camping Canoeing Picnic RentalsConcession Boat Ramp Diving Snorkeling Swimming “general store” that long ago carried merchandise In 1866, a mob of union deserters burned Restrooms for settlers all up and down the river. The the town and the spring settlement was steamboat was sunk in the run’s crystal clear abandoned. waters at the outbreak of the Civil War with the intent of reclaiming her after the war. Today, Troy Springs is owned by the Florida Park The Town of Fanning Springson the Suwannee River The Town of White Springson the Suwannee River Unfortunately, the valuable steamer was Service and is a popular “swimming hole” for river scavenged beyond repair for much needed boaters. For more information, call Ichetucknee ort Fanning was built by U.S. troops in both Little and Big Fanning Springs, located within he “white” springs on the upper Suwannee Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to enjoy cycling, equipment during the war. Springs State Park at (386) 497-4690. urtles 1836 during the Seminole War, on the high the Fanning Springs State Recreation Area. The River are caused by sulphur deposits hiking and horseback trails on some 5,000 acres of T bluffs of the Suwannee River’s east springs also serve as a trailhead for the Nature in the underground aquifer that public lands surrounding the town, or challenge the T bank near two second-magnitude Coast Greenway, spanning more than 30 sometimes make the spring’s water “Big Shoal” rapids of the Suwannee River. Tours reshwater turtles including the chicken turtle and springs. Named for Col. miles from the Suwannee River appear “milky.” For centuries, the of the historic antebellum structures are popular, sliders love to browse on lush plants that grow in Alexander C.W. Fanning, who to Cross City. springs have attracted along with the nationally recognized folklife springs and spring-fed rivers. The Suwannee cooter served under Gen. Andrew Paleoindians, settlers and events at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Jackson, the strategically located Historic restaurants in the area well-to-do tourists — all State Park. is a large sliders with a black shell and yellow stripes on its fort later was used during the feature great gulf seafood and local believing in the legendary black head. It is found in Florida and in only a few other large “healing” properties of the mineral Town and I-75 restaurants offer ish Civil War by Confederate ‘Southern style’ favorites. Accommodations southeastern rivers. F troops who successfully sank a include motels, houseboats and camping for tent waters of this second-magnitude spring. historic dining and “southern 90-foot Union gunboat with campers and RVs. For more information, style” favorites. Overnight cannon fire near the mouth of the contact the Greater Chiefland Area A pioneer settlement developed near the springs accommodations include Poking around near the bottom or bank are small, brown mud turtles or ish-watching is easy and fun in the clear water of springs. Look for striped motels and camping. springs. Remains of the boat can still be Chamber of Commerce at (352) 493- which later became known to plantation and pioneer For more information, “stinkjims,” which may have a musky odor when removed from the water. mullet, Atlantic needlefish, hogchoker and gar. The Suwannee bass, found seen by divers. 1849, or the Suwannee River Chamber of families as the “Rebel’s Refuge” during the Civil War. Commerce at (352) 542-7349. In 1885, the town was incorporated with a thriving call the Stephen You may recognize the alligator snapping turtle (largest freshwater turtle in only in the Suwannee and Ochlockonee rivers, prefers stretches of river with a economy dependent on two things: the timber Foster Folk Culture The town that grew North America) by its long, alligator-like tail and three rows of ridges along lot of spring inflow. Good-eatin’ fish you might spot include largemouth industry, and the mineral springs that prospered as an Center State Park at around the springs was elite vacation destination. (386) 397-2733 or the back of its shell. bass, redear sunfish, black crappie and bluegill sunfish. incorporated in 1965 and is State of Florida's one of three Florida communities Although fires destroyed most of the Nature and that lie within two counties (Levy and elaborate hotels in 1911, outdoor Heritage Tourism Gilchrist). Its 2,000 residents enjoy recreational opportunities still abound. Center at (386) TThehe TownTown ofof HighHigh SpringsSprings 397-4461. on the Santa Fe River IIchetuckneechetucknee SSpringspronin theg sSanta Fe River thethe pringsprings roundround SS igh Springs has neither a high Steam engines don’t season. Spring and he Ichetucknee River and springs are road to connect Pensacola and St. Augustine, AA , depending on the altitude nor natural springs to roll through town anymore, ery colorful te located near the town of Fort White in completed in 1826. pring banks can be v . Appearing in la which its name may be traced. It was, but tobacco and peanuts remain ellow bur-marigolds Columbia County. This magnificent springs system er bring bright y bush (with white however, once a boisterous phosphate important local crops for the town’s estimated early summ al flower, button that once attracted Native Americans, as well as Named for a Native-American word meaning irds ight red cardin sh mining town and important railroad hub where 3,500 residents. ‘Outfitters’ now provide outdoor B all are the br in a broad mar Spanish and European settlers, is one of the most "beaver pond," the Ichetucknee is considered the summer and f ge grass that grows steam engines “refueled” by pumping water adventures to canoeists, kayakers, cave divers, he gr wild rice — a lar popular tubing destinations in the world. crown jewel of Florida springs. In 1972, the head eat egret, great blue her ’ flowers), and ily, and through wooden pipes from a large rainfall catch hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. Outside of on, tri-color her ‘pom-pom ingtime brings the spider l spring was declared a National Natural Landmark egret and other on, snowy nee River. Spr s. Royal fern, basin on the town’s highest hill to the rail town, you’ll find the Santa Fe River and the wading birds c fringing the Ichetuck oodplain swamp The Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto led an by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Soon after, springs. an be seen at or near the zephyr lily to fl yard. Ichetucknee River, renowned for its summer Limpkins for white flowers of spring banks expedition through the area around 1539. In 1675, the State of Florida acquired the springs as a state age along the banks breathtaking along the cool, shady tubing and canoeing opportunities. favorite me for their d fern flourish the Spanish built a mission on the banks of the park. al of apple snail chain fern, and shiel First settled in 1846 at Crockett Springs Hundreds of nearby springs and downtown s. In the water, doubl Virginia river, and in the 1800s a grist mill was in cormorant and e-crested 3 miles east of the present town, this frontier historic walking tours are also popular. anhinga hunt for nging swamps. operation. The springs also were a place of Ichetucknee Springs State Park is open year-round. moorhen o fish, and common and fri town of miners and small farmers used the r American coot refreshment for dusty and thirsty Tubes, snorkeling and diving gear can be forage for small railroad to develop the area as one of Florida’s Town restaurants provide local ‘farm town’ rented from private vendors outside and aquati invertebrat travelers on the Bellamy c plants along es major agricultural centers by 1892, when it was favorites and unique cafes and tea rooms serve the park. A new education the marshy shoreli Road, the first public nes. incorporated as the Town of High Springs. vegetarian cuisine and gourmet fare. Overnight center is located at the In nearby swamps, you may h accommodations include bed and breakfasts, park's south entrance. For To learn more about North Florida springs, please visit: more information contact ear the fussing of renovated motels, and camping for tent campers shouldered hawk or a red- Suwannee River Water Management District: the park at (386) 497-4690. the booming call of the b www.mysuwanneeriver.com and RVs. For more information, contact the High may also flush o arred owl. You Springs Chamber of Commerce at (386) 454-3120. ne or more wood ducks as you cano FL Department of Environmental Protection: road e qui etly down river. www.dep.state.fl.us/springs/

SSprgs_of_Suwannee_pg3_cj.inddprgs_of_Suwannee_pg3_cj.indd 1 88/22/2008/22/2008 11:12:4411:12:44 AMAM