OPEN FILE REPORT NO. 85


Group Location Lat. 290 59' N, Long. 820 45' W (section 12, T. 6 S., R. 15 E., section 7, T
6 S, R 16 E). The Ichetucknee Springs Group is located within the Ichetucknee Springs
State Park approximately 10 miles (16.5 km) northeast of Branford. From Brandford, drive
east on US 27 for 7 miles (11.2 km). Turn north onto CR 137 and continue for 1.3 miles (2
km). Turn right and go 4.2 miles (6.8 km) through the north park entrance to the parking
area.

Group Description These springs comprise a group of nine named and many unnamed
springs along the upper 2.5 mile (4 km) stretch of the Ichetucknee River. The most norther-
ly spring forms the head of the river and is named Ichetucknee Spring. From here, the river
flows about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south, then 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest to discharge into the
darker tannic water of the Santa Fe River. Of the springs sampled for water quality, all are
located within Columbia County except for Ichetucknee Head Spring, which is located just
inside Suwannee County.

ICHETUCKNEE HEAD SPRING Lat. 290 59' 03.1" N, Long. 820 45' 42.7" (SE 1 NE 1 NE
1 sec. 12, T. 6 S, R. 15 E). This spring forms the head of the Itchetucknee River. The spring
pool measures 102 ft (31 m) east to west and 87 ft (27 m) north to south. Depth measures
17 ft (5m) over the vent. Water is clear and sky blue and issues vertically from a crack in
the bedrock limestone forming a visible boil. A thin, transparent layer of algae carpets most
of the bottom of the spring. Spring has sandy and rocky bottom with little or no aquatic veg-
etation. North and east shorelines have thick emergent grass and shrubs, west shore is near
high ground sloping to approximately 15 ft (4.5 m) above water. All surrounding land is
densely forested. Restroom facilities are about 200 ft (61 m) west. This spring is easily
accessed by a path and is a well used swimming hole.

BLUE HOLE Lat. 290 58' 49.9" N, Long. 820 45' 30.4" (SW 1 SW 1 NW 1 sec. 7, T. 6 S, R.
15 E). This spring is located in the spring run channel of Cedar Head Spring, which is north
of Blue Hole. The spring pool and outflow greatly widens the incoming spring run, and
the combined run flows south a short distance to the Ichetucknee River. The spring pool
measures 87 ft (27 m) east to west and 117 ft (36 m) north to south. Depth measured over
the vent is 37 ft (11.3 m). The water is sky blue, and the boil is visible on the pool surface.
Water issues vertically from a cavern in bedrock limestone. The pool has a sandy and rocky
bottom with abundant aquatic grass and some algae. Land around spring is heavily forest-
ed with mixed hardwoods and palm. Spring run is fenced off approximately 100 ft (31 m)
south of vent. This is a swimming spot with a wooden boardwalk for spring access. A foot
path leads to the spring from the north.

CEDAR HEAD SPRING Lat. 290 58' 59.8" N, Long. 820 45' 31.3" (SW 1 NW 1 NW 1 sec.
7, T. 6 S., R. 15 E.). This is a small spring at the head of a stream that flows south into Blue
Hole Spring. Spring pool is approximately 20 ft (6 m) east to west. Depth measures 6 ft (1.8
m) over the vent. No boil was present on the pool surface during October 2001 visit,
although outflow stream was flowing lightly. The bottom is sandy with logs and particulate
deposition. Water is clear but doesn't appear blue due to dark particulate layer on bottom.
The vent is a small upwelling in the sand. A steep bank is along the west side of the spring
and rises to 8 ft (2 m) above water level. There is higher ground 150 ft (46 m) east of spring
across a small lowland flood plain. Cypress, gum, and maple forest occur in lowlands near
water with mixed hardwood forest on higher ground. Access is limited to an obscure foot
path from the west. The spring is not used for swimming because of low water level and lim-
ited access.