GIL1012971 Spring
Columbia County
Summary of Features
- Scale - 2nd magnitude
- Scenery - excellent
- How Pristine? - completely pristine
- Swimming - poor
- Protection - excellent
- Crowds - none
- Access - water only
- Facilities - none
- Safety - very good
- Scuba - unknown
- Cost - free
Directions
From Ft. White, drive south on State Road 47 about five miles to the bridge over the Santa Fe River. Approximately ½ mile upriver fromthe boat ramp, on the SW side. The spring is almost immediately upstream of GIL1012972 and GIL 1012973 and about 2 minutes' paddle upstream of Myrtle's Fissure.
Spring Description
The spring forms a circular pool that was about 100 feet in diameter on dates of visit in fall 2000. The water was clear and dark, but the general depth appeared to be about 6 feet. The bottom was dark, but the pool sloped off to deeper water in the SW end. No boil was visible on dates of visit, but the run was clearly flowing into the Santa Fe River, indicating a spring.
Hornsby & Ceryak state the depth of the vent as 26 feet (1998, p.46). The east end of the spring had a dry creek bed that apparently flows into the spring. The spring has a run that is about 35 feet wide and 50 feet long. The land around the spring is thick, floodplain forest, and a barred owl was heard and observed on both dates of visit in 2000.
Use/Access
- Land around the spring is owned by the Suwannee River Water Management District, and access is only by canoe.
- Swimming, diving, and snorkeling are possible at the spring, but not terribly appealing.
Personal Impressions
The spring is attractive and in an undisturbed setting.
Nearby Springs
- Ginnie Springs group
- Sawdust Spring
- COL1012971
- GIL1012973
- Myrtle's Fissure
- GIL1012972
- 47 Boatramp Spring (or GIL1012974)
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- O'Leno State Park
- San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
- Devil's Millhopper State Geologic Site
- River Rise State Preserve
- Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Contact Information
Suwannee River Water Management District
9225 CR49
Live Oak, FL 32060
800-226-1066