Florida Springs

1 • INTRODUCTION

A GUIDE TO THE WORLD’SMOST SPECTACUALR FRESHWATER DIVING

D E T A I L E D M A P S A N D D I R E C T I O N S F O R

I N N O R T H C E N T R A L F L O R I D A

Scuba • Snorkling • Cave Diving • Relic Hunting • Swimming Underwater Photography • Camping • Tubing • Canoeing

Ned DeLoach • Tom Arteaga • Pete Velde

EDITORS

©1973 NEW WORLD PRODUCTIONS.

4 • FLORIDA SPRINGS DIVING/REC GUIDE

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

Editor’s Note 3

Florida’s Springs 3

Facts of Interest 3

How To Use This Guide 4

Activities 4

Glossary 8

Florida Map 8

Cave Diving in Florida 9

AREA 1 • NORTH BRANFORD 13

Little River Spring 14 Challenge Sink 19

Royal Spring 15 Orange Grove Sink 19

Troy Spring 15 Cisteen Sink 19

Owens Spring 15 Bonnet Spring 20

Blue Spring 16 Running Spring 20

Telford Spring 16 Ichetucknee River 21

Telford Sink 17 Blue Hole Spring 22

Terrapin Sink 17 Perry Spring 22

Peacock Slough 17 Charles Spring 22

Pot Hole Sink 18

AREA 2 • PEACOCK SLOUGH 23

Adams Spring 24 Madison Blue Spring 24

Suwannee Spring 24 Madison Blue Sink 24

AREA 3 • SOUTH BRANDFORD 25

Turtle Spring 26 Otter Spring 27

Fletcher Spring 26 Sun Spring 28

Hart Spring 26 Manatee Spring 28

AREA 4 • HIGH SPRINGS 29

Poe Spring 30 Jenny Spring 32

Lily Spring 30 Devil’s Eye Spring 33

Blue Spring 30 July Spring 33

Naked Spring 32

5 • INTRODUCTION

AREA 5 • OCALA NATIONAL FOREST 35

Salt Springs 36 Wekiwa Spring 37

Silver Glen Springs 36 Orange Spring 38

Alexander Spring 36 Orange City Blue Spring 38

Juniper Spring 37 Kingsley Lake Spring 38

Devil’s Sink 37

AREA 6 • WEEKI WATCHEE 39

Crystal River 40 Hospital Hole 42

Chassahowitzka Spring 40 Rainbow River 43

Joe’s Sink 42 Withalacoochee River 43

Weeki Watchee Run 42

AREA 7 • SOUTH TALLAHASSEE 45

River Sink 46 Natural Bridge Spring 47

Wakulla Spring 46 Wacissa River 47

Wakulla River 46 Cypress Spring 48

Cherokee Sink 46 Beckton Spring 48


I N T R O D U C T I O N

EDITOR’S NOTE

In the summer of 1969 New World Pro-ductions became interested in produc-ing an underwater movie of Florida’s springs. We immediately started scout-ing the various spring areas to find the right combination of springs to use in the production. Many long days were spent in a search that took us over much of the State. Valuable time was lost in our journey for lack of correct direc-tions to the spring locations. When we finally located a spring, we wrote de-tailed directions and descriptions with maps for use later when we could come back to shoot from our script.

Our movie entitled Clear Water was released early in 1972. As it was shown across the State, we were flooded with requests for the locations of the springs.

We realized the need for a guide to the Florida springs with maps and detailed descriptions.

Our first spring guide appeared in June 1972 an has been used by thou-sands of divers across the United States and Canada, making it easier for them to plan their diving vacations and lo-cate the areas that they feel will best suit their diving needs. We hope that our new second edition will provide an even better service with its new listings and information to help the many divers in their search for the beauty and wonder of Florida’s springs.

FLORIDA’S SPRINGS

From a vast network of underground streams that crisscross Florida, springs are born. The cool water breaks the sur-face in some of the State’s most beauti-ful countryside, forming clear pools hid-den in a lush growth of pines and oaks. A maze of caves and crevices is formed by water of unsurpassed clarity that combines with fish and aquatic plant life to create the world’s most spectacu-lar fresh-water diving.

7 • INTRODUCTION

FACTS OF INTEREST

Florida alone accounts for 17 of the 75 “first magnitude” springs found in the U.S. A “first magnitude” spring discharges 100 cubic ft. of water a sec-ond. The State also has 49 springs of the second magnitude, with a flow of between 10 and 100 second-feet. Silver Springs, located northeast of Ocala, is the world’s largest spring with an aver-age flow of 500 million gallons a day. Wakulla Spring, found south of Talla-hassee, is the deepest with a depth of 3,185 feet. Many of the spring’s un-derwater caves have been penetrated to amazing depths while others have been explored for hundreds of feet, with the entire pattern running close to the sur-face. Many of the underground chan-nels are interconnected, and divers have been able to follow patterns that lead them to neighboring springs.

The water temperature is cool, vary-ing between 68 and 78 degrees in the different springs. The flow from the springs will vary with the amount of water held in its contributing under-ground basin. Since the basin depends mainly on the rainfall for its supply, the discharge of the springs can be related to the amount of rainfall over the state.

Many of the springs located near riv-ers (Troy, Little River, Otter, etc.) are subjected to flooding during several

months of the year. In September and October, when the rivers rise, their dark waters invade the clear springs caus-ing them to become unfit for diving. It is best to check with one of Florida’s many dive shops for the condition of the springs during late summer and early fall.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

From the many springs we have found and dived over the past three years we have chosen for our guide the areas we feel will offer you the most interest in diving and camping. Several springs (Rock Bluff, Devil ‘s Den, Wekiva, etc.) are now closed to the public. If, and when, they reopen we will list them in future guides.

As all the springs in our guide can be reached by automobile, directions are given by highways and roads. The distance in miles and tenths of a mile, which can be read by an automobile’s odometer, are given from main high-way intersections or bridges. Most of the springs listed are shown on the five area maps in the guide. We have divided the springs into areas that can be easily traveled in one day. The Florida map numbers the areas and shows their lo-cation in the State. Springs that are not on an area map are covered in an area description nearest their location.


Scuba is a fast growing and rewarding sport. The deeper springs offer hours of chall enging dives filled with explo-ration and beauty. All persons using scuba should have the pro per training and use the proper equipment. It is foolhardly to strap on a tank, or knowingly let someone else do the same. Your life is worth the best training. Sign up at your local diving school for the correct instruction. Springs recommended for scuba are: Troy, Devil’s Eye, Crystal River, Blue-Madison, Owens, Little River, Orange Grove, Peacock, jenny & River Sink.

People without the proper training for scuba diving still enjoy the underwater beauty of the spri ngs by using only a face mask, fins, and snorkel. Simply snorkeling around the surface of a boil or down its run can be very adventurous. Snorkeling is the only way some of the springs can be ex-plored because scuba is not allowed. Springs recommended for snorkeling are: ltchtucknee, Alexander, Silver Glen, Salt, Blue at Highsprings, Devil’s Eye, Lily, Wakulla River, Rain-bow Run , Otter, and Sun.

Because of the superb clarity of the water in the springs, usually 100'+, they are ideal for underwater photography. The limestone cliffs, crevices, and cave entrances make spectacular settings for either color or black and white shots. Most of the spring fish are accustomed to divers and can be easily ap proached. In many springs a handful of bread will bring out the bream by the hundreds. The white sand bottoms help reflect the sunlight causing little need for flash outside the caves. Care should be taken by the photographer not to stir up the sand or silt as this will detract greatly from the picture. Springs recommended for underwater photogra-phy are: jenny, Devil’s Eye, Alexander, Blue at Highsprings, and Silver Glen.

A diver can spend many fascinating hours studying the un-derwater ecological systems of the springs. The clear water makes the springs one of the few places where freshwater habitats can be observed firsthand. The springs located near rivers have become the homes of many saltwater fish and mollusks that combine with freshwater varieties to make up

ACTIVITIES

SCUBA

SNORKELING

UNDERWATER PHOTO

NATURE STUDY

9 • INTRODUCTION

an interesting underwater community. Many divers keep aquariums stocked with the spring inhabitants. Lobsters, flounders, crabs, jumbo snails and small fish can easily be collected. They, live quite hardily in clean home aquariums. At Crystal River it is common to see many varieties of salt and freshwater fish swimming around the boil area. In the winter large manatees come into the area and are a real attraction. Springs recommended for nature study are: Alex-ander, Salt, Silver Glen, Crystal River and Wacissa River.

Arrowheads, old bottles and bones of extinct anim als have been collected from many of the springs. Dale Stone’s Aqua Shack in Branford is covered with exhibits of relics he has discovered underwater over the past few years. Searching is best in the spring runs. It takes many hours and much pa-tience to slowly fan the silt for the relics hidden underneath but the interesting finds can make the time spent worthwhile. Springs recommended for relic hunting are: ltchtucknee Run, Silver Glen, Rainbow Run, Wacissa River and Sante Fe River near the springs.

Camping has become quite popular in the spring areas during the past few years. Many of the commercially oper-ated springs offer sites for truck campers and trailers with complete hookup facilities. Shower and toilet facilities can also be found. A few of the owners of springs on private land also allow camping, but only as long as their land and property are not abused. Several beautiful springs have been closed to the public during the past two years because of misuse by campers and divers. We have heard story after story from owners of the springs ab·out the problems they face by leaving their areas open. The grounds and bottom of the springs are littered with trash. Livestock has been chased and even killed . Game fish have been illegally speared, leaving few large fish. Remember when you use an area that the owner is bending to keep it open for you. End a dive by bringing up cans and bottles from the spring. Help protect your privilege to dive. Springs recommended for camping: Silver Glen, Salt, Alexander, Juniper, Otter, Blue at High-springs, Itchtucknee Campgrounds, and others.

Night diving in the spring is a popular activity . The safety of night divers is easily maintained because of the limited territory and water clarity. The white limestone walls and sand bottom help reflect the divers’ lights for better obser-vation. Fish are easily approached as they lay motionless around the bottom. A diver can observe hundreds of sleep-ing fish by quietly swimming through a covering of lil ypads.

RELIC HUNTING

CAMPING

NIGHT/CAVE DIVING


SWIMMING

Many of the large runs flow for miles through Flonda woodlands. Drifting with a slow current on crystal waters for miles and miles through green walls of vegetation is a peaceful experience, long remembered. Florida is probably the only State where used tire tubes are at a premium. They are grabbed up on the weekends and taken to one of the popular tubing runs in the State. They are cheap and easy to carry. With little practice you can get in and out of them with ease. Canoes are used for longer trips. Florida canoeing is quite popular, for the State has several canoe trails. Divers have learned about the adventure of canoe trips down the Suwannee and Sante Fe Rivers. They can be planned to last for a few days or only an afternoon. While paddling down a river, you can easily locate a spring where its run empties into the river. You can spend as long as you like diving a spring, and then continue downriver searching for new ar-eas. There are two canoe outfitters in Branford; Tex Stout at the Canoe Outpost and Dale Stone at the Aqua Shack 1 & 2. Both offer canoe rentals and 6 complete outfitting for the Suwannee, Sante Fe and Itchtucknee Rivers. Springs recom-mended for tubing are : Itchtucknee Run, Rainbow Run, Weeki Wachee Run. Springs recommended for canoeing are: Wacissa River, Wakulla River, Juniper Run, Alexander Run.

Swimming in a cool, crystal spring on a hot summer day can be a real pleasure. Many springs have areas which are marked off for swimming with sand beaches. Some have ropes connected to tall trees to swing over the water. Springs recommended for swimming are: Blue at Highsprings, Salt, Juniper, Alexander, Wakulla, and Rainbow Run.

CANOEING AND TUBING

11 • INTRODUCTION

BOIL

CHEMNEY

CREVASS

M.G.D.

NATURAL BRIDGE

PERMANENT

RUN

SAFETY LINE

SECOND FEET

SILT

SINK

SYPHON

Surface disturbance of the spring pool caused by the veloc-

ity of the spring’s flow.

A vertical tubular opening in the rock.

A narrow crack or sp lit in the rock.

Million Gallons Daily.

Short section of ground that spans the surface of stream.

Literally, forming a bridge.

Safety line permanently left in cave.

Watercourse flowing off from a spring.

White nylon line used to mark paths through caves.

Flow measurement. One cubic foot of water per second. A

“first magnitude” spring discharges 100 cubic feet of water a

second or 64.6 m.g.d.

Fine particles of dirt and debri s that settle on cave floors

and ledges over a period of years.

A water-filled depression caused by underground erosion .

Water flows into underground system.

GLOSSARY


A R E A 1

N O R T H

B R A N F O R D

13 • NORTH BRANFORD

240

47

247

137

138

129

349

349

354

355

27

C O L U M B I A

C O R N E R S

W A LT O N

F T. W H I T E

B R A N F O R D

M A Y O

R O YA L

S E EP E A C O C K

A R E A

PA G E 2 3

O W E N S

T R O Y

L I T T L E

R I V E R

B L U E

H O L E

I T C H T U C K N E E

S P R I N G S

O ’ B R I A N

A LT O N

L A U R A V I L L E


LITTLE RIVER SPRING

BRANFORD SPRING

From intersection of US 27 and US 129 in Branford, travel north on US 129 3.1 miles. Turn left on paved road at large Camp O’ the Suwannee sign. Go across railroad tracks. After 1.8 miles bear left at second sign and go straight back to the spring.

Little River is rated one of Florida’s finest cave dives. The spring basin is large with bare limestone and sand bot-tom. There are few aquatic plants or fish. The entrance to the underground system begins with a small cave 10' in diameter in about 15' of water. The cave slopes to an 60' level; then it makes a sharp left turn where all surface light disappears. Follow the main corridor back approximately 200' where heavy silt appears on the floor. At this point all inexperienced cave divers should end their penetration. There is a permanent sign to serve as a reminder.

Continuing past the sign the expe-rienced cave diver enters a spiralling decending corridor which takes him down to 110'. The tunnel then slopes

back up to the 90' level while mak-ing several turns. Approximately 400' back from the mouth a permanent line begins. This veers to the right of the main corridor and enters the Terminal Room. The name of the room is due to its resemblance to an old train switch station, being round with caves lead-ing off at equal intervals. From here, the permanent line travels 200' through one of these caves and down a winding passage where it joins the main corridor again. The line continues another 200' and ends. Here you must attach your own line and continue down a round tunnel about 20' in circumference. Go another 400' to a point approximately 1200' from the mouth and you will en-ter the Florida Room, one of the largest underwater rooms yet discovered.

Although Little River is considered a relatively safe cave dive 17 divers have drowned here since 1960, most within 200' of the entrance.

Located 100' from SE corner of bridge over Suwannee in town of Branford.

Small spring in pretty setting used pri-marily for swimming.


ROYAL SPRING

PEACOCK SLOUGH

From Branford, travel north 6 miles on US 129 to O’Brian. Turn lert on S-349 and go 9.6 miles. Turn left on graded road and go .8 mile; then turn left on and road that runs by brown house on small hill. Continue .2 miles to the spring.

The spring is surrounded by steep banks. A concrete retaining wall is built

on the East side with steps to the water.

The basin is about 40 yards in diameter with a shallow 60 yard run to the river. A large cave entrance is located about 50' down the side of the limestone cliff. There is not much flow, and the cave is very silty. To the left of the run is a good boat ramp. No camping is allowed, and all persons should leave by 9 p.m.

From inter ection of US 129 and US 27 in Branford travel NW on US 27 for 5.3 miles. Turn right on paved road (across highway from white house) and go N 1.3 miles. As paved road curves left you will see a small green house trailer on the right. Turn on dirt road running between trailer and fence line. .6 miles to spring.

A large spring located on bank on the Suwannee with huge open area and

depths to 80'. Good snorkeling down run. Sunken remains of a Civil War gunboat scuttled by the Confederates lie in 6' of water near the mouth of the run. Only the ribs of the boat remain.


OWENS SPRING

BLUE SPRING · LAFAYETTE CO.

TELFORD SPRING

From the intersection of US 129 and US 27 in Branford, travel NW on US 27 8.9 miles. Turn right on S-251 at Jackson’s Midway Grill. Go N 1.9 miles on the spring. (Paved road end 1.1 mile, but continue straight on dirt road another .8 miles.

Owens Spring offers good scuba and snorkeling with depths to 40'. The cave entrance leads into a medium sized tun-nel that is easily silted. There is a maze of pot holes and crevices to explore. It is a good area for camping.

From Mayo travel NW on US 27 for 5 miles to S-251-B. Turn right and go 2.2 miles (turn on first right past railroad tracks.)

Located in 25’ basin at base of high bluff. Large cave entrance opens into wide room before narrowing again into

a 250' tunnel leading to Snake Sink at a depth of 47'.

About halfway down the short run to river there is an unusually large lime-stone bridge which can be free dived.

Travel north on S-51 from Mayo toward Lu-raville. After crossing the bridge over Suwannee, turn right on the first road (dirt road across from truck inspection station). Go a short distance to the stop sign and turn right. Continue .9 miles to spring.

Telford Spring is located on the edge of the Suwannee River. Bare dirt banks slope gently down to the spring which is about 40 yards across. Large crevices end in a small cave.


TELFORD SINK

TERRAPIN SINK

TERRAPIN SINK

Located just N of dirt road before reaching Tel-ford Spring. About 200’ from spring.

A small sink with three round holes forming limestone shafts·which con-

nect underwater in a room with depths to 33’. Two small tunnels lead off from room; both are extremely silty.

Located just N of dirt road before reaching Tel-ford Spring. About 200' from spring. Located in shallow depression just past Telford Spring. About 150' W of dirt road.

A foot path leads to sink. Small sink believed to be spring-syphon connects to Telford Sink. Depths to 35'.

From Branford travel N 6 miles on US 129 to O’Brien . Turn left on S-349 and go 12 miles. Turn left on another paved road (Phila-delphia Baptist Church sign) go 1.5 miles and turn left again and continue on 3.5 miles. Turn left on small dirt road and go .4 miles to spring.

A beautiful series of three springs flow 1.5 miles down the slough to the Suwannee. Snorkeling is excellent down the run through a large covering of lily pads. There is a large area for camping around the springs but no facilities.

The headspring offers a good cave

dive with a tunnel that winds its way to [Pot Hole Sink located about 75 yards from Peacock. The mouth of the cave system starts in about 18’ of water and is about 9’ by 5’ making access to the first room easy. The Blue Room is large and runs east to west. At the north end of the Blue Room, at a depth of 45', a 3' by 10' slit·drops through the floor where a permanent line starts at a depth of 65'. Following the line about 400’ you will start an ascent into the surface in Pot Hole Sink.

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Florida Springs