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

SUW107971

Suwannee County

Summary of Features

  • Scale - 2nd magnitude
  • Scenery - fine
  • How Pristine? - some trash near spring, otherwise very pristine
  • Swimming - poor-fair
  • Protection - unknown
  • Crowds - none
  • Access - very good, boat only
  • Facilities - none
  • Safety - good
  • Scuba - unknown
  • Cost - free

Directions

From Branford, drive east/south on U.S. 27 about 4 miles to junction with U.S. 129. Drive south on U.S. 129 for about 5 miles, and turn righ (west), immediately after passing the turn for State Road 138 (which is on the left/east). Drive on graded dirt road and then turn right/west on NW 39 Avenue to the Wanamake boat ramp on the Santa Fe River. (Note: the Santa Fe River is only about ¼ mile from the Suwannee River at this boat ramp.) Put in and go upriver about 2/3 to ¾ mile and look for spring on the left/west side. The spring is a short distance upriver from a swampy area on the north side characterized by very large cypress treeswith wide trunks that taper dramatically and are reminiscent of Indian teepees.

Spring Description

The spring forms a semicircular pool at the edge of the river. The pool was about 50 feet wide on date of visit, and visibility in the water under winter and evening conditions (January 2001) was only about one foot. The pool is canopied by cypress and hardwoods, and the low area around the spring is thick floodplain forest. No flow was visible.

Use/Access

It appears that people occasionally camp or picnic at this site, as there was garbage on the land near the spring. The spring may also be used for swimming, but is in a low and muddy area and is not appealing for that purpose. Besides being accessible from the Wanamake boat ramp described above, the spring is also just a few minutes' paddle downstream of the boat ramp near Campground and Trail Springs.

Personal Impressions

The spring is not dramatic in appearance and can be easy to miss, especially when there is no visible flow. Look for the telltale circular pool. The site would likely be clearer on a sunny summer day.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features