FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


Manatee Springs


Location Lat. 290 29' 22.2" N, Long. 820 58' 36.7" W (SE 1 SW 1 SE 14 sec. 26, T. 11 S, R.
13 E). Manatee Springs is approximately 7 miles (11 km) west of Chiefland within Manatee
Springs State Park. From US 19/27 in Chiefland, drive west on CR 320 to the entrance of
the park. Follow park road to the main parking area, the spring is 200 ft (61 m) north of the
parking lot.

Description Manatee Springs and its issuing spring run are on the east side of the
Suwannee River within the densely wooded, lowland floodplain. The spring discharges ver-
tically in a conical sink depression. The spring pool measures 60 ft (18 m) north to south
and 75 ft (23 m) east to west. The depth of the spring pool is 17 ft (7.7 m). There is a tremen-
dous boil associated with this spring. Divers report that entry into the vent against the cur-
rent is very difficult. The bottom of the spring pool is sandy with numerous submerged logs.
There is a limestone ledge 3 ft (1 m) below the water surface and vertical cliff on the south
side of the spring pool where wooden steps lead down into the water for swimming access.
Thick algae covers approximately 75% of the inundated limestone ledge and cliff face. The
water is sky blue. Native aquatic grasses inhabit the spring run. There are many cypress
trees and knees on the north and east shores of the spring pool. The spring run flows south-
ward to the Suwannee River approximately 1200 ft (365 m). Uplands on the south side of
the spring rise to approximately 15 ft (4.5 m) above the water level and are developed into
a swimming and recreation area underneath a thick canopy of live oak and pine. There are
numerous walkways and a rock wall along the south shore of the spring pool. The north
shore is relatively pristine and wooded.