FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


JACKSON COUNTY

Jackson Blue Spring


Figure 41. Jackson Blue Spring (photo by T. Scott).


Location Lat. 300 47' 25.9" N, Long. 850 08' 24.3" W (SW 1 SE 1 NW 14 sec. 33, T. 5 N, R.
9 W). Blue Spring is about 5 miles (8 km) east of the city of Marianna at the northeast end
of Merritts Mill Pond. From Marianna, drive east 1 mile (1.6 km) on U.S. 90, north 1 mile
(1.8 km) on SR 71, east 3.3 miles (5.3 km) on SR 164. The spring is 0.1 mile (.2 km) south-
east.

Description Numerous springs feed Merritts Mill Pond. Jackson Blue Spring is the main
spring at the head of the pond. It is situated about 10 ft (3 m) west of the diving board plat-
form. Clear bluish water issues vertically from a conical depression. Maximum depth over
the vent is 16.5 ft (5 m). Vent diameter is about 5 ft (1.5 m). Limestone is exposed near the
vent, and it bears backhoe scars. Spring pool diameter is approximately 240 ft (73 m) south-
west to northeast and 233 ft (71 m) northwest to southeast. The boil is slightly visible at the
surface. There is approximately 40% algae coverage on the pool bottom and very little
aquatic or emergent vegetation. The spring pool is a designated swimming area separated
from the rest of Merritts Mill Pond by a chain link fence across the channel approximately
100 yds (92 m) downstream. The southern shore of the spring pool meets a lowland cypress-
gum forest. The northern half of the pool is bordered by high ground sloping upward to
nearly 20 ft (7 m) above water level. Most of the high ground is cleared and grassy. All near-
by uplands are developed with numerous buildings, concrete retaining wall near shore,
slides, diving board, picnic tables, and parking area.