OPEN FILE REPORT NO. 85


JEFFERSON COUNTY

Wacissa Springs Group


 Figure 43. Wacissa Springs Group, Big Spring (Big Blue Spring) (photo by R. Means).

Group Location Lat. 300 20' N, Long. 830 59' W (Sections 2 and 12, T. 2 S, R. 3 E). The
Wacissa Springs are approximately 19 miles (30 km) southwest of Tallahassee and 1.2 miles
(2 km) south of the town of Wacissa. SR 59 runs south out of Wacissa and turns sharply to
the west after less than 1 mile (1.2 km). At this sharp right turn, a paved county road con-
tinues straight and ends 0.6 miles (0.9 km) beyond at a county park and boat ramp adjoin-
ing the head of the Wacissa River on the east side.

Group Description The Wacissa Springs Group consists of at least 12 springs that give
rise to the Wacissa River (Rosenau et al., 1977). Several springs are located at the head of
the river near the county park. The rest are scattered along the upper 2 miles (3 km) of the
river. Land along the upper part of the river is low and flat, and it supports a lush mixed
hardwood-palm forest.

SPRING NO. 2 Lat. 300 20' 23.6" N, Long. 830 59' 29.3" W (SE14 SE14 NE14 sec. 2, T. 2 S,
R. 3 E). This spring is located 15 ft (5 m) south of the diving board platform at the county
park. There are multiple small vents near this spring. The maximum depth of the spring
pool measures 8 ft (2.4 m). Spring pool diameter measures 45 ft (14 m) north to south. The
spring pool is choked with Hydrilla, and algae are present throughout the pool. There are
no adjacent uplands. Land near the spring supports cypress swamp forest and mesic hard-