.
Figure 5. Commercial fishing and the seafood industry are important to "Sun Coast" area.
WHAT IS THE FLOW OF THE SPRINGS?
The flow of the springs varies seasonally--during or following a drought the discharge is much less than during or following an exceptionally wet period. Although response to seasonal variations in rainfall is apparent, the fluctuations of flow are slower than those of normal streams. Time is required for rainfall to infiltrate the soil and flow through the limestone aquifer (called the Floridan aquifer) to the spring vent where it is noticeable as an increase in discharge.
A comparison of flow from the four major spring complexes can be made from the data of table 1. Hydrologic conditions in the area during the period January 1964 to June 1966 were near average for the long-term records of flow for Homosassa and Weekiwachee Springs.
The flow from the spring complex at the head of Crystal River is apparently the largest in the area. Because the springs occur at various points in the headwaters of Crystal River, the flow from the individual springs could not be measured. The average flow represents that recorded at the gaging station about three miles downstream from the town of Crystal River (fig. 1) and includes most of the spring discharge to Crystal River. The monthly mean flow of Crystal River at this location is shown on figure 7. Maximum flow occurs during the dry season of the year and minimum flow during the wet season, whereas in most streams the maximum and minimum flow