Indian Washtub Spring
Jackson County
Summary of Features
- Scale -2nd magnitude (estimated)
- Scenery -very good
- How Pristine? -very; an old dock nearby
- Swimming -poor
- Protection -unknown
- Wildlife -good
- Crowds -none
- Access -easy, boat only
- Facilities -none at spring; excellent at nearby Marianna Blue Springs
- Safety -good
- Scuba -yes
- Cost -$4 per person at recreation area, or put in 1.5 miles downstream and paddle to spring for free
Directions
From U.S. 90 in Marianna, turn north on 71 at the shopping center (Tractor Supply and Goody's) and go to Blue Springs Road. Go north until the road forks, then take the right fork on Blue Springs Rd. and go 1.6 miles to Hunter Fish Camp Road. Turn right and go 2/3 mile down this house-lined road to the boat ramp on the left, downhill from the road. From the public boat ramp, paddle 2 miles upstream. Paddling upstream, the spring is on the west (left) side of the pond.
The spring is 200 yards downstream from, and on the same side of the pond as, Shangri-La. The spring is about 35 feet before a rickety dock that extends from some old concrete steps that lead up the hill.
Spring Description
The site is not actually a spring, but rather what is termed a 'ponor,'' a place where water flows down beneath cracks. A large crevice is clearly visible about 20 feet offshore beneath a large limestone ledge at a depth of about 20 feet. The basin is attractive. A log lies across one end of the gash in the rock. The nearby shore canopy blocks light and reduces visibility, giving the site a slight hazy appearance. A diver explained to JF that the boulders at this site had collapsed into the vent, blocking most of the flow (in either direction) and preventing cave diving.
Use/Access
- The ponor is silty, discouraging diving. It may be snorkeled either from a boat or from the nearby crumbling dock.
- The ponor is deep blue in the sunlight, but often lies in shade.
Personal Impressions
Most boaters go right past the spring and never see it.
Nearby Springs
- Blue Hole Spring
- Other Merritt's Mill Pond Springs (Shangri-La, Blue, Indian Washtub, Hole-in-the-Rock, Gator)
- Baltzell (or Bosel or Bozell) Springs group
- Spring Lake Springs (Black, Double, Gadsen [or Gadsden], Millpond, Springboard)
- Sandbag Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Three Rivers State Park
- Falling Water State Park
- Torreya State Park
- Florida Caverns State
- Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve