Post by jonsdigs on Jan 6, 2007 9:22:03 GMT -5
Spring Creek flowing again
January 6, 2007
By Bruce Ritchie
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
SPRING CREEK - The Spring Creek springs group, classified as the largest springs in Florida, is back.
The springs stopped flowing last year and scientists weren't sure why.
When a group of divers went there Friday to investigate, the spring was flowing again. They had to call off the dive because the flow was too strong to swim into the caves.
The heavy rainfall since late December likely has boosted the springs' flow, said hydrogeologist Chris Werner.
"These springs like this all over North Florida are really dependent on rainfall," Werner said. "When we get periods of drought, obviously the discharge at the springs is going to be a lot less."
Spring Creek discharges an average of 1.2 billion gallons per day, about five times what flows from Wakulla Springs, according to the Water Resource Atlas of Florida. But some scientists say the Spring Creek flow varies too much to provide an accurate estimate.
Spring Creek consists of 14 springs in a shallow bay along the Gulf Coast. The flow periodically stops or the springs suck gulf water back into them, said Harley Means, a geologist with the Florida Geological Survey.
Scientists suspect water flowing in Lost Creek, Fisher Creek and other streams eventually flow to Spring Creek. Those streams go underground in western Leon and Wakulla counties.
The Florida Geological Survey will install flow meters in five of the springs within the coming year. Dye also will be injected in Lost Creek and Leon Sinks to determine whether the water is going to Spring Creek.
For Friday's investigation, Wakulla Springs Bottled Water Inc. hired divers with the Woodville Karst Plain Project and the Hazlett-Kincaid hydrogeology modeling firm. Both groups have done extensive research at Wakulla Springs.
The company has proposed building a controversial water-bottling plant near Wakulla Springs to pump up to 70,900 gallons per day.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District says water is plentiful in the area. But environmentalists say they're concerned that allowing the plant would encourage other water-bottling companies to locate in Wakulla County.
The proposed plant is 1.7 miles from Wakulla Springs. Scientists think water flows there during wet times but flows to Spring Creek in drier times, Werner said.
Paul Johnson, a consultant with Wakulla Springs Bottled Water, said the company hired the groups because it's concerned that changes in the aquifer could affect the company.
"We need to make sure if this bottling plant goes in and Spring Creek flow goes down again we can know it is not associated with the bottling plant," Johnson said. He is working for a future share of the company.
Article
January 6, 2007
By Bruce Ritchie
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
SPRING CREEK - The Spring Creek springs group, classified as the largest springs in Florida, is back.
The springs stopped flowing last year and scientists weren't sure why.
When a group of divers went there Friday to investigate, the spring was flowing again. They had to call off the dive because the flow was too strong to swim into the caves.
The heavy rainfall since late December likely has boosted the springs' flow, said hydrogeologist Chris Werner.
"These springs like this all over North Florida are really dependent on rainfall," Werner said. "When we get periods of drought, obviously the discharge at the springs is going to be a lot less."
Spring Creek discharges an average of 1.2 billion gallons per day, about five times what flows from Wakulla Springs, according to the Water Resource Atlas of Florida. But some scientists say the Spring Creek flow varies too much to provide an accurate estimate.
Spring Creek consists of 14 springs in a shallow bay along the Gulf Coast. The flow periodically stops or the springs suck gulf water back into them, said Harley Means, a geologist with the Florida Geological Survey.
Scientists suspect water flowing in Lost Creek, Fisher Creek and other streams eventually flow to Spring Creek. Those streams go underground in western Leon and Wakulla counties.
The Florida Geological Survey will install flow meters in five of the springs within the coming year. Dye also will be injected in Lost Creek and Leon Sinks to determine whether the water is going to Spring Creek.
For Friday's investigation, Wakulla Springs Bottled Water Inc. hired divers with the Woodville Karst Plain Project and the Hazlett-Kincaid hydrogeology modeling firm. Both groups have done extensive research at Wakulla Springs.
The company has proposed building a controversial water-bottling plant near Wakulla Springs to pump up to 70,900 gallons per day.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District says water is plentiful in the area. But environmentalists say they're concerned that allowing the plant would encourage other water-bottling companies to locate in Wakulla County.
The proposed plant is 1.7 miles from Wakulla Springs. Scientists think water flows there during wet times but flows to Spring Creek in drier times, Werner said.
Paul Johnson, a consultant with Wakulla Springs Bottled Water, said the company hired the groups because it's concerned that changes in the aquifer could affect the company.
"We need to make sure if this bottling plant goes in and Spring Creek flow goes down again we can know it is not associated with the bottling plant," Johnson said. He is working for a future share of the company.
Article