Water shapes the state of Florida both geographically and economically. Florida’s beaches and waterways draw millions of visitors annually, invigorating the state’s tourism economy.
While much of the tourism in Florida is focused on beaches and theme parks, there is a sometimes-overlooked natural wonder that can be found throughout the state: more than 1,000 freshwater springs. Florida’s springs aren’t just a sight to see, though; they’re also crucial to the state’s drinking water supply and to the manatees that migrate here every winter.
Here’s a guide to one of the Sunshine State’s most unique natural wonders, the Florida springs.
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How many natural springs are in Florida?
Florida is a state shaped by water. There are more than 1,000 natural springs in the state, and no two springs are alike, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“Springs and spring-fed rivers support the local ecology, provide ample opportunity for recreation to the visitors and residents of Florida and provide a critical resource to citizens that rely on them,” the Florida DEP website says. “Springs are important windows into the environmental health and welfare of the state’s abundant, yet vulnerable, water resources.”
Florida’s natural freshwater springs are the crux of Floridians’ drinking water supply, most of it coming from the Florida Aquifer System. Florida’s springs aren’t only important for the state’s drinking water, though.
The Sunshine State’s many springs also help invigorate Florida’s tourism economy, bringing in millions of visitors each year. In 2019, almost four million people visited the Florida springs.
“Every year, millions of people are drawn to our state’s springs for recreation and employment. In fact, when you put it in economic terms, water resources generate a lot of money for our state,” according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
And human visitors aren’t the only ones who like to enjoy the crystal clear waters of Florida springs. Every winter, the springs in Florida see droves of manatees looking for warm waters.
The water in Florida’s springs stays between 68 and 72 degrees year-round. Although that is very cold for humans, it happens to be the perfect temperature to keep manatees warm in the winter.
“Manatees are most commonly found in the springs from November to March. The concentration is at maximum when the temperature gets freezing outside,” the Springs in Florida blog says.
“Manatees native to the Floridan Springs, popularly called the Florida Manatees, are usually migratory in nature… These manatees follow a route during their migration, so they somehow land back in Floridan Springs every winter.”
Does Florida have the most springs in the U.S.?
Florida is home to one of the largest concentrations of freshwater springs in the world, according to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Florida is the state with the highest concentration of natural springs. Missouri has a higher number of natural springs, with more than 4,400 known springs in the state, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. But Florida is home to more first-magnitude and second-magnitude springs than any other state.
Springs are classified by magnitude, which measures the amount of water the spring or springs group discharges. For example, a first-magnitude spring discharges 65 million gallons or more of water per day, and a second-magnitude spring discharges between 6.5 million and 65 million gallons per day.
“Florida is home to 27 first-magnitude and 70 second-magnitude springs, more than any other state in the nation,” the Florida DEP springs fact sheet says. “Springs are the window into the health of our groundwater, which is the source of 90 percent of drinking water for Floridians.”
Some examples of first-magnitude springs are Wakulla Spring, Silver Spring, Troy Spring and Manatee Spring. Examples of second-magnitude springs are Gilchrist Blue Spring, Wekiva Spring, Ichetucknee Head Spring and Salt Spring.
What is the biggest, deepest spring in Florida?
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is home to Florida’s largest and deepest freshwater spring. It is also one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world.
“Home to one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water of Wakulla Springs boasts manatees, alligators and a host of diverse wildlife that can be viewed from a riverboat or the diving platform,” the state park’s website says.
Wakulla Springs is in Florida’s Big Bend, 14 miles south of Tallahassee.
How to find Florida springs map, things to do at the springs
Want to visit one of Florida’s most unique natural wonders? There are 19 state parks named for springs in the state. And at many of Florida’s springs, you don’t have to jump into the cold water to enjoy them.
The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute has an interactive map of all known springs in Florida. If you are using this map to find a spring to visit near you, check to make sure that it is open to the public, as most of Florida’s springs are on private land.
Lianna Norman is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: The ultimate guide to Florida’s natural springs and their impact
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
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By Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
