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

Siphon Creek Rise Spring (GIL1012973)

Gilchrist County

Summary of Features

  • Scale - 1st magnitude
  • Scenery - fine
  • How Pristine? - completely pristine
  • Swimming - fair-good
  • Protection - excellent
  • Crowds - none
  • Access - good/boat only
  • Facilities - none
  • Safety - good
  • Scuba - yes
  • Cost - free

Quick Directions

Directions

From Ft. White, drive south on State Road 47 about five miles to the bridge over the Santa Fe River.  From the boat ramp, paddle upstream½ mile.  A channel on the right (south) side just before Myrtle's Fissure is one end of an island about 100 yards long.  The spring is at the other, upriver end (mouth) of the island where the channel around the island meets the river.  The spring is a few feet from the limestone bank where the river and channel meet.

Website

Spring Description

The spring has a powerful flow and two large boils on the surface. As noted above in the directions, the spring is just off the bank and flows from a limestone opening about 12 feet deep on date of visit in January 2001.  A limestone shelf and ledge is visible, and water is flowing out from beneath it.  The water was fairly clear, but the authors viewed the spring on the evenings of visit (Sept. and Dec. 2000) and the low light did not allow them to see the bottom or the vent.  Land around the river is dense floodplain forest with hardwoods.  The limestone bank is sheer and about four feet above the river/spring.  The spring flows primarily into the river, but also to the south around the adjacent island.

Use/Access

Local Springiana

This nondescript and easy-to-miss spring is, along with the Santa Fe River Rise, the largest spring on the Santa Fe River, its flow is 370 cfs or 240 mgd.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features

Contact Information

Suwannee River Water Management District
9225 CR49
Live Oak, FL 32060
800-226-1066