FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


Silver Springs Group


 Figure 63. Silver Springs Group (photo by J. Stevenson).
Group Location Lat. 290 12' N, 820 03' W (sec. 6, T. 15 S, R. 23 E). The Silver Springs
Group is located approximately 6 miles (9.5 km) northeast of Ocala within the privately
owned Silver Springs Park. From the intersection with US 301, drive east on SR 40 for 6.1
miles (9.8 km) to the park entrance. Turn onto the access road and continue 0.3 miles (0.5
km) to the parking area.

Group Description The Silver Springs Group, flowing from several vents, forms the head-
waters of the Silver River, a major tributary of the Ocklawaha River. There are several
smaller springs in the bed or at the edges of the spring run within about 3,500 ft (1066 m)
of the main orifice. The run is usually clear and the bottom at all locations in the springs
and run is easily visible. The Silver River flows from its head spring eastward for approxi-
mately 5 miles (8 km) through a dense mixed hardwood and cypress swamp to the
Ocklawaha River. The Ocklawaha flows northward and is a tributary to the St. Johns River.
Higher sandy terrain with pine and Silver Springs community lies to the west of the springs.

MAIN SPRING Lat. 290 12' 58.3" N, Long. 820 03' 09.5" W (SW1/4, SW1/4, NW1/4 sec. 6,
T. 15 S, R. 23 E). The main spring is approximately 200 ft (61 m) northeast of the glass-bot-
tom boat launch area. This is the head spring of the Silver River and the largest spring of
the group. The spring pool measures 300 ft (91.4 m) north to south and 195 ft (59.4 m) east
to west. Depth measured over the vent opening is 33 ft (10 m). The water is clear and sky
blue. Aquatic vegetation is abundant across the spring bottom, and a layer of algae covers