A Unique Spring

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,342
328
Near Mt. Misery
I know of a very isolated spring deep in the woods. Recently my curiousity in this spring was peaked by looking at historical photos of it and realizing that since 1930, it has not seen any flucuation in size. It is unique in several ways:

first, it is significantly larger than most springs, some are small sepages that eventually form rivers, and some are vernal pools. This one appears to be a vernal pool but is much larger than most, so much that it has created a savana in it's run off, eventually becoming a tributary of one of our major rivers. It occurs in an upland area, with the exception of the savanna.

Second, it is very isolated. There are no roads, or even trails leading to it, which is unusual for a body of water this large. Not even a foot path or tree stand nearby. The nearest road is only 4x4 accessable and then requires a 15-20 min hike from there.

Third, the common encoaching leather leaf seems significantly diminished compared to most springs/vernal pools I have seen. It is replaced by grass and sedges. This might be the most active spring in the woods (might be). There are other springs nearby, but none as large as this one. I am curious to visit the others to see how they compare.

I headed out this morning to do some fishing and to visit the spring. It had been a while since I had been there. But nothing had changed.

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I would have bet $ that larger game fish would not inhabit this body of water, but I figured it was worth a shot since it was not subject to dramatic water level changes (I surmised from historic photos) that most vernal pools are. I was right however, no fish. I would say it is from a lack of suitable cover.

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As you can see it is a beautiful area, and one can get out there and feel isolated. It is for this reason, and for the fact that I am aware of some endanged fauna in the area, that I am going to have to refrain from posting the location on the public forum. I hope you enjoyed the picutures though. I'm going swimming in it this summer.

the savanna in it's run off.

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Afterward I went to one of my time tested and proven fishing holes to land a couple pickerel before heading home. I ran into Guy and Jessica on carranza road while in route. A nice surprise.

There was a huge enduro today, hundreds of riders. It looks like KTM is running a monopoly on the enduro scene.

Jeff
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
25,955
8,701
I ran into Guy and Jessica on carranza road while in route. A nice surprise.

Great photo's. It is always nice to meet up with you Jeff, and if we had time we would have loved to explore there with you. We were heading home after and adventurous morning.

Guy
 

Furball1

Explorer
Dec 11, 2005
378
1
Florida
Curious

Hi Jeff:
I live in Florida, one of the most concentrated regions on the globe when it comes to springs. I live 5 miles from Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, and have enjoyed its pristine, crystal clear, 73 degree waters for swimming and snorkeling many times. Just curious, is the water in this spring clear? How deep do you think it is? Is there a detectable boil/pool disturbance on the surface indicating water surging upwards?
 

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,342
328
Near Mt. Misery
Hi Jeff:
I live in Florida, one of the most concentrated regions on the globe when it comes to springs. I live 5 miles from Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, and have enjoyed its pristine, crystal clear, 73 degree waters for swimming and snorkeling many times. Just curious, is the water in this spring clear? How deep do you think it is? Is there a detectable boil/pool disturbance on the surface indicating water surging upwards?

Fuball,
I only got about a 2' from the shore before I reached the top of my knee highs. I don't suspect it is very deep. The water clarity is compromised by debre from decaying sedges/grass and some spaghum, though not much. This area is also subject to some run off from the uplands on the western edge.

No hot springs around here, very cold. No signs of water rising, but that is very typical of the seeping PB springs. There was however, some sort of water gauging device in the middle probably placed there by the DEP.

Jeff
 

Furball1

Explorer
Dec 11, 2005
378
1
Florida
Spring type

Do you suspect it is more an "artesian" type spring where water from a higher elevation has found an exit point here, or do you think it has a direct connection to an aquifer? Believe me, I don't understand everything I know, that's why all the questions. Springs are "larger than life" to me, and I am fascinated by the subject. Thanks!...David... P.S. The pics are beautiful and look like they were taken of a place from a past long gone.
 

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,673
4,851
Pines; Bamber area
I know where that is Jeff. Russ showed it to me. It does have a name.

You very astutely picked up on the endangered stuff back there, particularly the flora. It is quite beautiful. I did walk across the entire thing with Russ, so it is not that deep. My guess is that it may have a clay bottom, retaining the small amount of water that does seep in as a spring. Just a guess. Its on the drawing board for PBX, as there is other stuff in that area I wanted to see.

Here is how it will look in July:

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woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,342
328
Near Mt. Misery
I know where that is Jeff. Russ showed it to me. It does have a name.

You very astutely picked up on the endangered stuff back there, particularly the flora. It is quite beautiful. I did walk across the entire thing with Russ, so it is not that deep. My guess is that it may have a clay bottom, retaining the small amount of water that does seep in as a spring. Just a guess. Its on the drawing board for PBX, as there is other stuff in that area I wanted to see.

Here is how it will look in July:

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You do get around Bob! I did not have the opportunity to discover it had a clay floor. It looks a bit more choked with grass in your July photo, I think it is very interesting that it's size and shape remain very consistant through the years.

Jeff
 
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