OPEN FILE REPORT NO. 85


LAFAYETTE COUNTY

Lafayette Blue Spring

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Figure 45. Lafayette Blue Spring (photo by T. Scott).


Location Lat. 300 07' 33.0" N, Long. 830 13' 34.1"W (NW 1 SE 1 NW 1 sec. 21, T. 4 S, R.
11 E). Lafayette Blue Spring is located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Mayo on the west side
of the Suwannee River. From Mayo, drive northwest on US 27 for 4.3 miles (6.9 km). Turn
right on CR 251 B and continue for 2.1 miles (3.4 km) on a gravel road. Turn east onto a
dirt road and go 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the county park entrance. Spring vent is east of the
parking area in the pool farthest from the river.

Description Lafayette Blue Spring discharges from a single horizontal vent in the south
side of the sink depression. The spring pool measures 57 ft (17 m) north to south and 102 ft
(31 m) east to west. Spring depth measures 21 ft (6.4 m). The water is clear and is light
bluish green. Algae are very thick on rocky and sandy substrates within the spring pool and
run. The issuing spring run flows east approximately 300 ft (91 m) before reaching the
Suwannee River. Clear water from the spring contrasts sharply with the tannin colored
water of the river. Limestone crops out throughout the spring pool and run. A 20 ft (6 m)
wide land bridge stretches north to south across the spring run approximately 120 ft (37 m)
east of the vent. There is a narrow band of a few cypress trees near the spring run. The
spring pool is steep sided with limestone below and sand above. Adjacent high ground is
approximately 20 ft (6 m) above the water level, and it is sparsely forested with a few pines
and oaks.