Chipola Unnamed West Bank Seeps
Jackson County
Summary of Features
- Scale--1 gallon per minute, est.
- Scenery--Very good
- How Pristine?--Undisturbed
- Swimming--No
- Protection--Unknown
- Crowds--None
- Access--Very good, by boat only
- Facilities--None
- Safety--Very good
- Scuba--No
- Cost--Free
Directions
Accessible via small boat. From the center of Marianna on U.S. 90, go north on Jefferson Street (State Road 167--the same turn as for Florida Caverns State Park) and proceed about 1.5 miles to the bridge over the Chipola River. Put in and go downstream 7.5-8 miles. Look for erosions in the west bank of the Chipola River at the following GPS coordinates:
#1--N30.43.930; W85.12.716 #2--N30.44.923; W85.12.669
Spring Description
The two seeps are similar in size, flow, and appearance. Each flows from the base of an eroded slice in the west bank of the Chipola River. The banks at these two points were 5-8 feet high on dates of visit in March 2004. Each is a seep or perhaps the beginning of a steephead and is eroding through sand and clay. Further descriptions follow.
#1 The smaller of the two eroded areas, the bank at this seep was about 5 feet high. The eroded area was widest at the edge of the river, and narrowed as it went back perhaps 6 feet. Water trickled from the base of the erosion and into the river. A lot of gray clay was at the surface on the south side of the steep/eroded area. The area behind this flowpoint was forested.
#5 The larger of the two seeps/steeps/eroded areas, this one flowed from the base of an alcove/grotto on the west bank of the river. The grotto is about 8 feet high, and appeared to be of more recent origin than other springs, or to have recently been enlarged due to erosion/collapse of the dirt above it. Water flowed about 10 feet from the base of the grotto to the river. Land was partially cleared behind this spring.
Use/Access
No apparent use.
Nearby Springs
- Baltzell (or Bosel or Bozel) Springs group
- Blue Hole Spring
- Sandbag Spring
- Unamed Grotto/Wastewater Spring
- Unnamed Alcove Spring
- Unnamed Chipola Riverbank Springs
- Dykes Spring
- Unnamed Spring Cascade
- Delightful Grotto Spring and Cascade
- Unnamed Rock Overhang Seep
- Unnamed 2-Tree/3-Trailer Seep
- Unnamed Possible Chipola Spring Runs (5)
- Unnamed Limestone Boulders Spring
- Possible Spring run Near Highway 280 Bridge
- Merrit’s Mill Pond Springs (Jackson Blue, Shangri-La, Twin Caves, Indian Washtub, Gator)
- Spring Lake Springs (Black, Double, Gadsen [or Gadsden], Millpond, Springboard,Coffin)
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Florida Caverns State Park
- Three Rivers State Park
- Falling Water State Park
- Torreya State Park
- Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve