Silver Springs - FL
Posted by: 
sfwife
N 29° 12.972 W 082° 03.194
17R E 397626 N 3232398
Beautiful springs in central Florida.
Waymark Code: WM2V1K
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 12/23/2007
Views: 105
Silver Springs, a 1st magnitude spring, is the site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world, producing nearly 550 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily. The spring forms a large semicircular basin 250 feet across. Water flows from a limestone cavity on the NE side of the basin. This massive cavern entrance is about 35 feet deep, 125 feet across, 6 feet high, and has a strong flow. The cavern opening extends down another 30 feet or more before becoming too narrow for passage. Water in the spring is clear and varies from blue to greenish depending on conditions. There are few fish in the basin, which is mostly covered in green algae. There are 2-3 large statues on the bottom near the cavern entrance that were placed in the spring as part of a movie filmed there. The spring creates the Silver River, which flows about 6 miles to the Oklawaha River. In general, the river narrows as it travels east, but varies from 75' to 200' in width. The bottom undulates, with depths varying from 6-30 feet and with frequent large and deep pools that may have some spring flow at the bottom.
Since at least the mid 19th century, the natural beauty of Silver Springs has attracted visitors from around the country. Glass bottom boat tours of the springs began in the late 1870s and continue to be the biggest draw to the Silver Springs Nature Theme Park.
The springs themselves are public land and you can boat, kayak, etc. on them; you just can't dock on the theme park's private land.
Coords for the entrance to the park: N 29° 12.898 W 082° 03.278
Public or Private Land?: Private
Public Land Fees?: See the website for the Silver River State Park for info: http://www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver/
Private Land access?: For info on the theme park go to this site: http://www.silversprings.com/
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Visit Instructions:
Please post an original picture of the springs no GPS necessary along with your observations of the spring. What wildlife you saw if any and the condition of the springs. Water level was high, low. The area was clean, trashy ect. Any other knowledge or experiences you have had with this paticular spring that would help document it's history.