Today we visited nearby Lafayette Blue Springs State Park. The spring is one of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs and is a system of karst windows which navigate across the park landscape feeding into the Suwannee River. The variable flow rate of the springs averages 13 million to 168 million gallons per day.
The spring water is normally divided into two pools separated by a 20 ft wide limestone bridge with spring waters flowing under the bridge. During our visit today the water levels were high and there was shallow water flowing over the limestone bridge. There is also a couple of karst windows or sink holes slightly further inland from the main spring.
This area has a rich history as well.
In the mid to late 1800s, this section of the Suwannee River was an important highway for steamboats carrying supplies and agricultural products to and from local plantations. The establishment of railroads signaled the end of the steamboat era. Lafayette Blue Springs has been a public park for many years. It became a state park in 2005 and consists of approximately 702 acres. ~~ Florida State Parks
From my photos and for anyone who has viewed the Suwannee River, the water looks dark. There is a simple explanation for this. The Suwannee River begins as the waters of the Okefenokee Swamp. It is not actually black. The water comes out of the swamp where it has become saturated with the tannins from billions of leaves, roots and bark and is actually more the color of a weak cup of coffee.
We enjoyed our time exploring the park and springs and, happily, we were the only ones there, other than a caretaker who was busy with park maintenance. It also worked out well for Maggie since no other people meant we were able to let her off the leash.
The first thing I noticed was the water level seemed high. Very interesting to know about this area and its history. You mentioned the water color and what causes it but did not mention of the water was drinkable. I’m doubting it is. Go Maggie! I suppose Bonnie let you off the lease also. :-)
In theory the actual spring water should be drinkable but as it reaches the surface it mixes with other run-off water and contaminates so they don’t advise it. However, some of the parks draw their drinkable water from the same source as the springs. Nope, Bonnie seldom lets me off the lease…I’m just not trainable. :-)