FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


Manatees frequent the spring pool and river year round, especially in winter. The springs
are tidally influenced.

Utilization The main spring pool and adjacent land are within Homosassa Springs State
Wildlife Park. The area is developed into an interpretive center for manatee and Florida
wildlife education. There is a floating observation deck in the spring pool with a downstairs
aquatic observation room with glass windows. Injured and rehabilitating manatees are cap-
tive in the spring pool for year round observation. Swimming is not allowed.

Discharge The average discharge for Homosassa main spring from 1931 through 1974 (90
measurements) was 106 ft3/s (Rosenau et al., 1977). Current discharge estimate is provi-
sional.
 Maximum (August 18, 1966) 165 ft3/s
 Minimum (September 19, 1972) 80 ft'/s
 October 16, 2001 87 ft3/s


 Table 10. Homosassa Springs Group bacteriological analyses.

 Bacteria Results (in #/100ml)
 Analyte No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
 Escherichia coli 1 KQ 1KQ 1 KQ
 Enterococci 1 KQ 1 KQ 1 KQ
 Fecal Coliform 1 KQ 1 KQ 1 KQ
 Total Coliform 1 KQ 1 KQ 1 KQ