LARGE SPRINGS OF FLORIDA'S "SUN COAST"
CITRUS AND HERNANDO COUNTIES By
J. A. Mann and R. N. Cherry
INTRODUCTION
Florida has more first magnitude springs than any other state in the nation. A first magnitude spring has an average discharge (flow) of at least 100 cfs (cubic feet per second) or 64.6 mgd (million gallons per day). About 20 springs or spring complexes within Florida are in this category. Four of the large spring complexes are in Citrus and Hernando counties, along the west-central gulf coast of Florida. lhese four sprinmg complexes provide almost the entire fresh-water flow of Crystal, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weekiwachee Rivers, figure 1. The combined flow of these rivers averages or exceeds one billion gallons per day, which equals 1,000 mgd, and could have supplied all of Florida's industrial and municipal water used in 1967.
The four large spring complexes are of utmost importance to the future development of the "Sun Coast" area because of their value to tourists (the largest industry of the area) and their esthetic and natural resource value.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING OF THE SPRINGS
The four spring complexes near the head of the Crystal, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weekiwachee Rivers occur where the aquifer, in this case a water-bearing limestone, lies near the land surface or is exposed in the headwaters or channels of the rivers.
The lands along the springfed rivers abound in natural beauty. For several miles the rivers wind through lowlands containing lush tropical and semitropical growth, the habitat of numerous varieties of animals and birds. The aquatic plants and the associated invertebrate animals that thrive in the crystal-clear, warm (about 740F year round) unpolluted waters attract thousands of fresh and salt-water fish, including bass, redfish, snook, tarpon, sheepshead, and spotted weak fish (locally called trout). Thus, the springs form giant natural fish bowls, figure 2, which are popular sites for sport fishing, skin diving, and other recreational activities.
The area around the large springs and to the east is sparsely populated. Most people live in the towns near the springs. Many retirees have moved to the area, attracted by the mild climate, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities.