Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.
Manatee Spring is approximately 7 miles west of Chiefland within Manatee Springs State
Park. From the US 19/27A and CR 320 intersection in Chiefland, drive west approximately
5.2 miles on CR 320 to the entrance of the park. Follow park road to the main parking
area; the spring is 200 ft the parking lot.
Description – Manatee Spring and its run are on the east side of the Suwannee River
within a densely wooded, lowland floodplain. The spring discharges into a conical sink
depression. The spring pool measures 60 ft north to south and 75 ft east to west. The
depth of the spring pool is 25 ft The bottom of the spring pool is sand with numerous
submerged logs. There is a limestone ledge 3 ft below the water surface and a vertical
wall on the south side of the spring pool where wooden steps lead down into the water for
swimming access. There is a tremendous boil associated with this spring. Thick algae
cover approximately 75% of the limestone ledge and wall. The water is sky blue. Native
aquatic grasses inhabit the spring run. There are many cypress trees and knees on the
north and east shores of the spring pool. The spring run flows southward to the Suwannee
River approximately 1200 ft A boardwalk follows the run to a dock at the mouth of the run
on the Suwannee River. Uplands on the south side of the spring rise to approximately 15 ft
above the water level and are developed into a recreation area underneath a thick canopy
of live oak and pine. There are numerous walkways and a rock wall along the south shore of
the spring pool. The north shore is relatively pristine and wooded. An extensive
underwater cave system has been mapped at Manatee Spring.
Utilization -The spring and its surroundings constitute Manatee Springs State Park. The
area is developed for camping, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, and nature study.
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