OPEN FILE REPORT NO. 85


a designated swimming area on the west side of pool. Land around the northern half of the
pool rises sharply to approximately 25 ft (8 m) above the water. Rainbow Springs State Park
facilities are situated on the high ground to the north. Live oak and pines are abundant on
high ground. There is dense hardwood-palm swamp forest along the pool's east and west
edges.

RAINBOW NO. 4 Lat. 29006' 06.9" N, Long. 820 26' 13.8" W (SE % NW % SE % sec. 12, T.
16 S, R. 18 E). This spring is approximately 350 ft (107 m) downstream from Spring No. 1.
It issues from a conical depression at the bottom of the river. The circular spring pool meas-
ures approximately 75 ft (23 m) in diameter. Depth measured over the vent is 10.9 ft (3.3
m). Water is clear and sky blue. A boil is not visible due to turbulent current of the over-
lying river. Aquatic grasses sway in the current with very little Hydrilla. Algae are pres-
ent but not a dominant feature. This spring is located within the State Park no motorized
boat zone. Land on both sides of the river is low lying and harbors pristine hardwood swamp
forest.

RAINBOW NO. 6 Lat. 290 05' 34.1" N, Long. 820 25' 42.8" W (NW % SE % NW % sec. 18,
T. 16 S, R. 18 E). This spring is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) upstream from boat ramp just off the
south bank. It emerges from the bottom of the Rainbow River between 1 and 1.5 miles (1.6-
2.4 km) downstream from the head of the river. It issues from a conical depression nearest
the west bank of the river and forms a boil on the river surface. The spring pool measures
approximately 60 ft (18 m) north to south and 75 ft (23 m) east to west. Depth measured
over the vent is 16.9 ft (5.2 m). River and spring waters are clear and sky blue. Aquatic
grasses are common in the spring pool. Hydrilla is present on the south side of the pool.
Algae occur thinly on rocky substrate. Limestone is evident on the bottom of the spring.
High ground on the west side of the river rises to nearly 20 ft (6 m) above the water. There
are some pines on the hill top. This spring is downstream from the state park, and private
houses are along the west bank. The east side of the river is low-lying and heavily forested
state land.

BUBBLING SPRING Lat. 290 06' 04.5" N, Long. 820 26' 05.5" W (SW % NW % SE % sec.
7, T. 16 S, R. 18 E). Bubbling Spring flows into the Rainbow River from the east approxi-
mately 200 ft (61 m) downstream from Spring No. 4. It is at the head of a spring run that
is approximately 400 ft (122 m) long. The spring pool measures 45 ft (14 m) north to south
and 75 ft (23 m) east to west. The shallow spring pool measures only 2.8 ft (0.9 m) deep over
the vent. Water issues vertically from a small crevice in the limestone. The force of the boil
pushes the water column approximately 6" (0.1 m) higher than the surrounding spring pool.
Pool bottom is sand and limestone. Water is clear and sky blue. This spring and its run
have very rich aquatic vegetation. Algae are thinly present on rocky substrate. Densely
forested high ground adjoins the east side of the pool and rises to approximately 15 ft (4.5
m) above water. There is a hardwood forest canopy over the spring pool. The spring is with-
in the state park.

Utilization Rainbow Springs State Park owns the uppermost portion of Rainbow River.
It is developed into an interpretive and recreation area with emphasis on preserving natu-
ral quality of the watershed. The east side of the river below the state park is state-owned
and protected. The west side below the state park is subdivided into private lots often with
houses near the river's edge.