Lafayette
County Florida Springs
From
GEOLOGICAL BULLETIN NO. 31, revised
This
series will include, in their respective county FLGenWeb Project websites
many, but not necessarily all, of the freshwater springs within each referenced
county.By copying and pasting the
following URL address in your explorer address engine you can view information
and pictures of springs in other Florida counties.Al
Barrs, Jr.7/01
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/springs_of_fl/aaj7320/content.html
oLafayette
County Springs Content
§Iron
Spring
§Perry
Spring
§Other???
And,
I personally know of at least one spring not on this list of Lafayette
County springs. That is the
'Mill Creek' iron spring west of State Road 53 and just southwest of the
Baptist Church located at the confines of SR 53 and the 'Double Bridges'
over the 'Mill Creek.'I and my Dad,
Fonso Barrs, visited this iron spring and a sinkhole spring, located just
southeast of the iron spring where fish could be caught in the clear water
in the bottom of the small sinkhole no more than fifteen feet across.We
found and visited these locations while gathering oak wood for firing our
tobacco barn in the late 1940 and early 1950.Anyone
with additional information on these and other springs and sinkhole springs
in Lafayette County is asked to send the information to Al Barrs, Jr. at albarrs@wfeca.net
or 4731 Georgia Road, Greenwood, FL 32443-1839.We
hope you enjoy this Lafayette County FL springs tour...
Before
you visit any of these beautiful Lafayette County Florida springs make
sure they are open to the public or get permission from the owner and take
out what you carry in.
Suwannee
and Aucilla River Hydrologic Sub-Region Springs
ALLEN
MILL POND SPRING
Location.
SW¼NE¼SW¼
sec. 5, T. 4 S., R. 11 E. (lat. 30°09'45" N., long. 83°14'33" W.).
Allen Mill Pond Spring is about 9 mi NNW of Mayo on the west side of the
Suwannee River. From Mayo drive 4.3 mi NW of U.S. Hwy 27, turn right and
drive 4.4 mi, then right 0.2 mi; the spring is about 900 ft E.
A
view of Allen Mill Pond, looking towards the run exiting to the southeast.
The spring site is surrounded by gently sloping woodland and thick undergrowth.
Description.
Allen
Mill Pond is in a valley surrounded by dense woodland. The 50-ft wide elongate
pond has at least 3 spring vents in its 150-ft length. The pool is 2 to
3 ft deep except at the cavities where it is at least 6 ft deep and near
the log dam at the head of the run where it is 4 ft deep. The water is
clear and limestone is visible around the vents beneath the three distinct
boils; elsewhere, the bottom is sand with a sparse vegetation cover.
The
run flows 0.6 mi SE to the Suwannee River. It increases in width downstream
from 20 to 100 ft; its depth ranges from 1 to 2 ft.
Utilization.
Private
camping grounds
BLUE
SPRING
Location.
NW¼SW¼NW¼
sec. 21, T. 4 S., R. 11 E. (lat. 30° 07'33" N., long. 83° 13'34"
W.). Blue Spring is about 7 mi NNW of Mayo on the west side of the Suwannee
River. From Mayo, drive 4.3 mi NW on U.S. Hwy 27, then right 2.1 mi on
a gravel road, then right (E.) 0.2 mi on a graded road; the spring is 100
ft SE in the pool farthest from the river.
Looking
east over Blue Spring towards the run and the Suwannee River. Note the
moderately steep sandy banks, Limestone Bridge, and sparse vegetation around
the spring.
Description.
The
vent is in the southeast quadrant of the pool and is about 50 ft deep.
The water surface has a swirling motion on the west side of the limestone
bridge (see photo) and a boil where the flow emerges on the east side.
The spring pool is 50 by 100 ft with depths from 6 to 10 ft. The adjacent
pool is 50 by 80 ft with depths of 4 to 5 ft, except 10 ft near the boil
and at the mouth of the run. Limestone crops out in the pools and steep
sandy banks. The sandy bottom can easily be seen through clear dark blue
water except near the spring vent.
Utilization.
Swimming
but no facilities.
Purchased
by the County for development into a recreation facility.
CONVICT
SPRING
Location.
NW¼SW¼SW¼
sec. 35, T. 4 S., R. 12 E. (lat. 30°05'18" N., long. 83°05'46"
W.). Convict Spring is about 5 mi ENE of Mayo on the southwest side of
the Suwannee River. From Mayo drive 5 mi E on U.S. Hwy 27 to State Hwy
354; go N 1.7 mi on paved road and then continue on a dirt road for 0.6
mi and through a gate another 0.2 mi; the spring is about 75 ft E.
Looking
east over Convict Spring towards the Suwannee River
Description.
Convict
Spring is in a clearing surrounded by dense woodland with farmland to the
south. Two abandoned houses are south and southeast of the pool in slightly
elevated areas. The vent is in the northern part of the 20- by 50-ft teardrop
shaped pool enclosed by a three-tiered cement wall. Pool depth averages
6 ft except near the constriction where the run begins (1 to 2 ft), and
at the vent opening into a north-trending cave where the pool is 20 ft
deep. The run flows east from the spring, increasing in width from a few
feet to 50 ft where it meets the Suwannee River.
Utilization.
Swimming
but no facilities.
FLETCHER
SPRING
Location.
SW¼SW¼NW¼
sec. 26, T. 7 S., R. 14 E. (lat. 29°50'48" N., long. 82°53'34"
W.). Fletcher Spring is due east of Hatchbend on the west bank of the Suwannee
River. From Hatchbend, drive 0.25 mi N on State Hwy 342 to a 3-way intersection;
turn right 0.5 mi to a 90 degree turn; drive 0.25 mi to Simms Landing Road,
turn right 1.2 mi, then right on dirt road 0.5 mi; the spring is about
150 ft SE
View
across Fletcher Spring and down its run. Note the steep banks, thick vegetation
in the background, and in the left foreground the diving board and slight
water surface disturbance from upwelling spring water.
Description.
The
spring is on the Suwannee River flood plain surrounded by dense woodlands
with many dry sinks. The area immediately adjacent has been cleared for
spring access. Water in the oval 50 ft-long pool is clear with a greenish
tint; the bottom is sandy. The bank opposite the run is cut by a gully
formed by surface runoff from nearby cultivated fields; other banks slope
gently up to 6 ft above the water surface. The run is 30 ft wide and meanders
450 ft downstream where the flow disappears into a sink. In June 1974,
the owner reported the spring became plugged with silt and clay after a
storm and that the water level had "dropped very low." DeLoach and Arteaga
(1972, p. 21) reported a depth of 32 ft.
Utilization.
Swimming
and snorkeling but no facilities.
MEARSON
SPRING
Location.
NW¼NW¼NE¼
sec. 21, T. 5 S., R. 13 E. (lat. 30°02'28" N., long. 83°01'32"
W.). Mearson Spring is about 8 mi E of Mayo adjacent to the Suwannee River.
From Mayo, drive 8.6 mi SE on U.S. Hwy 27, turn left on State Hwy 251 for
1.0 mi to a 90 degree bend, right 0.4 mi to sharp left-hand curve, right
on dirt road on high side of curve, 0.1 mi to gates, take left gate and
left road passing a dirt road on left at 0.3 mi then keep left another
0.6 mi; the spring is about 250 ft NE.
Southerly
view across Mearson Spring on December 3, 1976, when the Suwannee River
was not high enough to restrict spring discharge.
Description.
Mearson
Spring (or Morrison Spring) is in a wooded area southwest of the Suwannee
River. The spring-pool is oriented northeast by southwest and measured
25 by 50 ft with a depth of 18 ft on December 3, 1975. There are 3 vents
adjacent to a north-south trending limestone ledge. A boil marked each
vent at the time of the visit. The largest is southernmost and marks the
deepest measurable part of the spring. The pool is surrounded by high ground,
has dense woods on the northwest, and discharges through a 40-ft wide run,
some 75 ft NE to the Suwannee River. The bed of the run was clean, soft
mud and the water from the spring was clear.In
September 1974 the flooding Suwannee River inundated Mearson Spring.
Utilization.
There
are no facilities.Local residents
reportedly use the spring.
OWENS
SPRING
Location.
NW¼SE¼SW¼
sec. 17, T. 5 S., R. 13 E. (lat. 30°02'44" N., long. 83°02'29"
W.). Owens Spring is about 8 mi E of Mayo, 10 mi NW of Branford, and about
0.2 mi from the west bank of the Suwannee River. From Mayo, drive 8.6 mi
E and SE on U.S. Hwy 27 to State Hwy 251, left 1.1 mi to 4-way intersection,
continue across to the north on a dirt road; the spring is not more than
100 ft from the road end.
Easterly
view over Owens Spring and its run. Note the densely wooded area around
the spring, and the extensive limestone outcrop on the perimeter of the
pool.
Description.
The
spring is surrounded by dense woods except for a small clearing on the
south side near the road. The banks slope gently to the water 5 ft below;
the southwest bank is much steeper. The oval spring pool is about 70 ft
in length; depths are between 2 and 8 ft except at the vent where they
are 30 to 40 ft. Limestone crops out around the spring perimeter and through
the dark blue-green water near the vent. The run flows east about 150 ft,
averaging 60 ft in width, before disappearing beneath the ground but emerging
occasionally through pot- holes -- water level is about 5 ft below land
surface. The run eventually enters the Suwannee River to the northeast
where there is another vent; it is in the bed of the river and a few yards
out from the mouth of Owens Spring run.
Utilization.
Swimming,
fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
RUTH
SPRING
Location.
SW¼NE¼NE¼
sec. 1, T. 6 S., R. 13, E. (lat. 29°59'44" N., long. 82°58'38"
W.). Ruth Spring is about 4 mi NW of Branford on the west bank of the Suwannee
River. From Branford, drive NW 4.8 mi on U.S. Hwy 27, turn right and continue
north for about 1.7 mi, passing through a gate. The spring is northeast
of the end of the road.
View
of Ruth Spring from the road, looking northeast. Note the cleared area
around the pool, and the dense woods.
Description.
The
spring is in a local topographic depression surrounded by woods. It is
about 0.1 mi from the west bank of the Suwannee River. The pool is 50 ft
in diameter and 2 to 6 ft deep near the vent. The clean sandy bottom is
visible through clear water and limestone crops out around most of the
pool. There is a boil over the vent and the vent extends under the limestone
bank toward the road. There is little vegetation in the pool or along its
banks, but in the run it is prevalent. Fish are visible in the run and
the pool. The run averages 20 ft wide, 1 to 2 ft deep and about 550 ft
long; the spring discharges to the Suwannee River.
Utilization.
None
known
STEINHATCHEE
SPRING
Location.
SE¼NW¼SE¼
sec. 27, T. 7 S., R. 10 E. (lat. 29°50'28" N., long. 83°18'29"
W.). Steinhatchee Spring is about 3 mi NNE of Clara on the east bank of
the Steinhatchee River. From Clara, drive 3.3 mi N on State Hwy 51, right
on a dirt road and go 0.3 mi. turn right again and go less than 0.1 mi;
the spring is to the southwest.
The
south side of Steinhatchee Spring. Spring vent outside the wall is at base
of rocks at lower-center of picture.
Description.
The
spring is in a clearing in Steinhatchee River State Park
and the surrounding area is a dense swampy woodland. The river discharges
to the Gulf of Mexico about 15 mi downstream. The main spring is in an
eleven feet square red brick pool. A 4- by 5-ft brick pool adjoins on the
west that is also spring fed. A pitcher pump is mounted on the northwest
corner of the smaller pool. Another vent discharges from the middle of
the south side of the large pool, on the outside of the wall and below
river level.
Utilization.
The
spring is a source of drinking water for visitors to the park.
TROY
SPRING
Location.
NW¼NE¼SE¼
sec. 34, T. 5 S., R. 13 E. (lat. 30°00'2l" N., long. 82°59'51"
W.). Troy Spring is about 6 mi NW of Branford on the southwest side of
the Suwannee River. From Branford drive 4.8 mi NW on U.S. Hwy 27 to State
Hwy 20: turn right 1.2 mi and right again onto a sand road for 0.6 mi;
the spring is beyond the end of the road.
Oblique
aerial photograph of Troy Spring and Suwannee River from an altitude of
500 feet.
Description.
Spring
flow is from an ellipsoidal cavity measuring approximately 70 by 50 ft.
Side walls are almost vertical to measured depths of 50 to 68 ft. DeLoach
and Arteaga (1972), reported that the spring is 80 ft deep. Water enters
the cavity through two vents or small tunnels, which extend to the north
and west into the steep brown-colored lime- stonewalls near the house.
Briel (1976) reported the spring conduit-vent inaccessible to exploration.
The water is usually clear and logs can be seen lying on the sandy bottom.
Elsewhere, the pool is 2 to 10 ft deep.
The
run is about 200 ft long and averages about 100 ft wide. About 130 ft down
the run on the east side is a small spring about 15 ft deep. Limestone
with long deep transverse fractures and longitudinal openings crops out
in the streambed.
A
view of Troy Spring showing the submerged hull of the steamboat Madison,
it bow pointing towards the head of the spring. Various sources report
the ship as either a gun boat or a supply ship of the Confederate Army
that was trapped on the Suwannee River and was run aground and scuttled
by its captain to avoid capture by Union Forces.
Utilization.
Swimming,
scuba, and snorkeling; there are no public facilities. A small boat dock
is located about halfway down the run on the east side; mooring for larger
boats is in a small cove a short distance farther downstream.
TURTLE
SPRING
Location.
NE¼SW¼NW¼
sec. 26, T. 7 S., R. 14 E. (lat. 29°50'55" N., long. 82°53'24"
W.). Turtle Spring is about 1.7 mi E of Hatchbend on the west bank of the
Suwannee River. From Hatchbend drive 0.25 mi N on State Hwy 342, right
at the 3-way intersection for 0.5 mi to 90° bend in the road, continue
0.25 mi to Simms Landing Road, east for 1.2 mi, and south 0.4 mi on a dirt
road; the spring is just to the east.
Looking
down Turtle Spring run toward the Suwannee River. Springhead is immediately
upstream.
Description.
Turtle
Spring is in a small clearing surrounded by swampy woodlands. The pool
and run appear from the air to be a large keyhole. The pool measures 40
by 20 ft and the run 90 by 23 ft, discharging into the Suwannee River.
The pool is heavily shaded by trees that extend over the water. The water
is clear; some vegetation is on the sandy bottom. Both the pool and the
run have high steep banks. DeLoach-Arteaga (1972, p.21) reported the depth
of Turtle Spring as 25 ft with a room and tunnels branching back 60 to
70 ft.
Utilization.
Swimming,
scuba, and snorkeling.
OTHER
SPRINGS
IRON
SPRING
SE¼NW¼SW¼
sec. 34, 7 S., R. 10 E. (lat. 29°49'40" N/, long. 83°18'28" W.).
Iron Spring is about 1 mi S of Steinhatchee Spring on the east side of
the Steinhatchee River about 25 mi SE of Perry. From Perry drive southeast
on U.S. Hwy 19 to State Hwy 51; drive 4.7 mi N and turn easterly onto a
dirt road that crosses the river and then meanders southerly, nearly parallel
to the river, for 1.1 mi to a point about 0.3 mi E of the spring. Iron
Spring is in a low area of dense swampy woodland.
PERRY
SPRING
NW¼SW¼NE¼
sec. 35, T. 4 S., R. 11 E. (lat 30°05'46" N., long. 83°11'19" W.).
Perry Spring is about 3 mi N of Mayo on the southwest bank of the Suwannee
River. From Mayo, drive N 2.7 mi on State Hwy 51, and left onto a dirt
road for 1.1 mi; the spring is to the northeast. On September 19, 1974
the owner's son reported that the spring pool is 10-15 ft in diameter,
with a short run emptying into the Suwannee River and that Perry Spring
is much like Morrison Spring east of Mayo. Perry Spring is not open to
the public.
OTHER
SPRINTGS???
Help
us out here folks.We know there
are other little known springs and spring-fed
ponds
throughout Lafayette County and we would like to hear from you...
Al
Barrs, Jr.
albarrs@wfeca.net
END<<<