Springs Fever: A Field & Recreation Guide to 500 Florida Springs.
3rd Edition by Joe Follman and Richard Buchanan

COL428981 Spring

Columbia County

Summary of Features

  • Scale - 3rd magnitude to dry
  • Scenery - very good
  • How Pristine? - very pristine
  • Swimming - no
  • Protection - private
  • Crowds - none
  • Access - private
  • Scuba - no

Directions

From downtown High Springs, drive about two miles north on U.S. 41/441 to bridge over the Santa Fe River. The boat ramp to the river is on the NW side of the bridge. Put in and go upriver about 1/2 mile. Look for a small (3-5 feet) opening in the bank on the left that is the mouth of the spring.

Spring Description

The spring lies just behind the 4-6 foot bank of the Santa Fe River. On date of visit (April 2000), a time of drought, the spring contained water but was not flowing. The circular pool was 45 feet across and covered in duckweed. Hornsby & Ceryak (1998) describe the spring pool as "100 feet wide with a maximum depth of 15 feet and the run is approximately 15 feet long" (p. 35). They measured a flow of 1.54 MGD on April 28, 1998 (p. 35). In times of high water on the river, the spring would be flooded and would perhaps reverse.

Use/Access

Personal Impressions

Except in times of high water (when dark water would prevent a good look at the spring anyway), the spring cannot be canoed or otherwise entered by boat.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features