Florida Springs Map

About Florida Springs Map

The Florida springs map illustrates the notable natural springs in Florida. There are listed many of the springs in the northern part of the state as well as the central region of Florida. In addition, there are listed many of the major cities in Florida, such as Tallahassee, Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, and Miami. There is also information listed regarding the major water features in the state, such as the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the Florida springs map illustrates many of the bays, lakes, and structures that make up the waterways in the state. There are also listed the bordering states of Georgia and Alabama, which are found at the northern boundary of the map of Florida springs. In addition, there is an inset of the United States that shows the location of state of Florida. The Florida springs map includes a compass and scale in miles and kilometers.

Major Springs of Florida

Below is the list of major springs in Florida state of the United States.

16.5 US gallons (62 L)
18.2 US gallons (69 L)
226.2 US gallons (856 L)
43.0 US gallons (163 L)
Alapaha Rise
Alexander
Apopka
Aucilla (Wacissa)
Baltzell
Beecher
Big Blue (Wacissa)
Blue
Blue (Levy County)
Blue Grotto (Silver)
Blue Hole
Blue Hole (Ichetucknee)
Boulware
Branford
Buckhorn Main
Bugg
Cedar Head (Ichetucknee)
Chassahowitzka
Chipola River
Citrus Blue
Columbia
Copper
Cow
Crystal Springs
Cypress
De Leon
Devil's Den
Devil's Ear/Eye/Little
Ellaville
Emerald (Gainer2)
Falmouth
Fanning
Fenney
Fern Hammock
Gainer3
Gator
Gemini Springs
Gilchrist Blue
Ginnie
Glen
Green Cove
Green Springs
Guaranto
Hardee
Hart
Hernando Salt
Holton Creek Rise
Homosassa
Hornsby
Hunter (Kings Bay)
Ichetucknee
Jackson Blue
Juniper
Kings Bay
Kini/Upper River Sink
Kissingen
Lafayette Blue
Levy Blue
Lime Sink Run
Lithia Major, Minor
Little
Little River
Madison Blue
Magnolia
Manatee
McCormick (Gainer1)
Morrison
Natural Bridge
Nutall Rise
Orange
Otter
Paradise
Peacock
Pitt
Poe
Ponce de Leon
Rainbow
Roaring (Ichetucknee)
Rock
Rock Bluff
Rossetter
Royal
Running East, West
Salt (Marion)
Sanlando
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Rise
Shangri La
Silver
Silver Glen
Siphon Creek Rise
Spring Creek
St. Marks Rise
Starbuck
Steinhatchee Rise
Sun
Suwanacoochee
Suwannee
Suwannee Blue
Tarpon Hole (Kings Bay)
Telford
Three Sisters (Kings Bay)
Treehouse
Troy
Volusia Blue
Vortex
Wacissa Group
Wakulla
Waldo
Wall
Warm Mineral
Weeki Wachee
Wekiva
Wekiwa
Welaka
White
Williford
Worthington

Florida Springs

Over 1,000 recognized springs flow in Florida, with the greatest concentration of large first- and second-magnitude freshwater springs in the world. These unique natural features that supply water to rivers, support fish and other aquatic wildlife, provide places for boating, swimming, and other water recreation, and act as indicators of the health of groundwater, are well known and recognized by the general public. The springs of Florida are located primarily in the northern and central parts of the state. There, the large aquifer of freshwater beneath the Floridan bedrock can leak through small openings in rock in the form of cracks and caves to emerge as a spring on the surface.

Some of the more well-known springs in Florida include: Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, Ichetucknee Springs, Weeki Wachee Springs, Wekiwa Springs, Wakulla Springs, Blue Spring, Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Madison Blue Spring, and Gilchrist Blue Springs. Many of these are located within state parks, national forests and other conservation areas.

How Florida Springs Are Formed

Most of the Florida springs are supplied by the Floridan aquifer, a huge underground reservoir of water-filled, porous rock. This rock is mostly made up of limestone. When rain falls on the ground, it passes through the soil and then through the surface sand. Along the way, it seeps into the rock through cracks and holes. Eventually, it emerges as a spring.

The dissolution of Florida’s limestone by slightly acidic water creates a vast network of underground passages, sometimes small, often large, including caves, sinkholes and underground channels of all sizes. This type of landscape is known as a karst. The area of land that recharges a spring or group of springs is referred to as a spring’s springshed. The activities that occur within a spring’s springshed can impact the amount of water and quality of water that flows through the spring(s).

First-Magnitude Springs in Florida

Springs are typically classified by average flow. First-magnitude springs have an average flow of 100 cubic feet per second or greater. There are 33 first-magnitude springs in Florida, including several river rises.

Large spring systems are typically found in the northern and central parts of the state where the Floridan aquifer is relatively close to the surface. In some instances, large spring systems can supply enough water to rivers and adjacent wetlands.

Major Springs in Florida

North Florida Springs

Natural Springs of North Florida. There are many natural springs in North Florida. Ichetucknee Springs are one of the largest natural spring systems in the State of Florida. Ichetucknee River is fed by Ichetucknee Springs and is a very popular place for tubing, swimming and paddling. There are many other natural springs in northern Florida, including Ginnie Springs, Gilchrist Blue Springs, Peacock Springs, Madison Blue Spring, Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs.

Many of Northern Florida’s natural springs are found along the Suwannee River and the Santa Fe River. Some of the natural springs are directly on the river. Others form pools and then travel down spring runs. Eventually, they merge with the river.

Central Florida Springs

There are many well known spring systems in Central Florida. In the area near Ocala there are the Silver Springs, the headwaters of the Silver River. The area has been a tourist destination for many years. The Rainbow Springs are the headwaters of the Rainbow River. The Alexander Springs and the Juniper Springs are located in the Ocala National Forest.

Other notable springs include Wekiwa Springs, Rock Springs, De Leon Springs and Blue Spring. Many of these springs are popular destinations for activities such as swimming, kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing. Because of their proximity to major population centers, such as Orlando, these natural destinations are very popular.

Gulf Coast Springs

The Gulf Coast of Florida is home to several natural spring systems. One of the largest spring systems is that of the Weeki Wachee Springs which has been used by man for many years. An attraction was set up around the spring and today many people travel from all over the world to visit this natural wonder.

The large and significant freshwater spring system near Tallahassee, at Wakulla Springs, is protected, both the natural spring and surrounding lands. Here, many species of wildlife, fish, birds, reptiles, etc. reside.

Water Temperature and Clarity

Water temperature in Florida springs is generally stable because groundwater stays insulated from changes in atmospheric temperature. The typical water temperature for North Florida springs is in the 70°F range, while springs in south Florida and Central Florida are warmer on average.

Water in the springs of Florida typically appears as clear blue or turquoise liquid. This is due in part to the naturally filtered groundwater which flows through geological materials beneath the Earth’s surface. The water may vary in clarity due to a variety of reasons including changes in rainfall, sediment, algae, minerals, tannins and connections with nearby rivers and other surface waters.

Wildlife and Natural Ecosystems

Many species of fish, as well as turtles, aquatic plants, and birds, invertebrates, etc. use the spring runs as a conduit between the groundwater and river/wetland/forest/coastal ecosystems.

Manatees are found in certain Florida spring systems during the cooler months of the year. Since the water in the springs remains warm and stable during the winter months, manatees are able to seek out the spring water when the surrounding rivers and coastal areas have cooled. These warm-water refuges, such as Blue Spring, are very important during the winter months.

Recreation at Florida Springs

Recreation at Florida springs includes activities such as swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, hiking and wildlife viewing. Every individual spring can be used for different outdoor activities.

For tubing and paddling, the Ichetucknee River is the place to go. For the North Florida springs with underwater cave systems, trained cave divers can explore these areas. Many of the other springs have designated swimming areas, hiking trails, picnic areas, and even places to camp. Some also allow access to a spring-fed river. Remember to check the current conditions and any regulations before heading out for a day of fun at a spring.

Environmental Challenges and Protection

Threats to Florida’s springs include low groundwater levels and excess nutrients in the water. Spring flows can decrease when too much water is withdrawn from the groundwater and not enough is returned to recharge the aquifer. Excessive amounts of nitrogen in the groundwater can promote growth of algae, severely damaging aquatic life.

Nutrient pollution, including excessive nitrogen from fertilizers, septic systems, wastewater, stormwater runoff and agricultural activities, can enter the groundwater. Because of Florida’s unique geology of porous limestone, water and the dissolved pollutants in it can travel long distances through the groundwater before surfacing as a spring.

The Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act, passed in 2016, aims to protect Florida’s springs and aquifers. Thirty Outstanding Florida Springs are being protected and water quality is being restored through various programs and projects that include water quality monitoring, spring restoration, land conservation, groundwater management and pollution reduction.

Importance of Florida Springs

Springs in Florida are important sources of fresh water as well as of natural ecosystems, of recreation and of tourism. Springs supply water to rivers and other wetlands and also serve as habitats for aquatic as well as terrestrial animals. In addition, springs can function as indicators of ground-water flow as well as of quality, displaying characteristics of the underlying aquifers.

The protection of a spring involves more than the protection of the immediate area of the spring and its pool. In the springshed, activities affecting groundwater recharge as well as water use, wastewater treatment, agriculture, development and land management can affect the spring. With over 1,000 recognized springs in Florida, the springs are unique and valuable freshwater resources and some of the State’s most distinctive natural resources.