- Scale—2nd magnitude total
- Scenery—fair-good
- How Pristine?—incorporated within golf course and RV park
- Swimming—no
- Protection—unknown
- Crowds—small-none
- Access—seek permission for access
Summary of Features
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Directions
In complex of Shady Brook Golf Course and RV park just east of the
intersection of U.S 301 and CR 470 in Sumter County. The spring vent
areas are near the
main entrance to the property. After turning off the highway,
the road immediately turns left and winds back around the golf course and
the RV and mobile homes.
the spring vent areas on on the right just after this initial left
turn where the elevation drops away into trees. Look for signs of
karst terrain--exposed limestone at the
surface.
For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery,
and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring,
go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at
the following address:
http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida
Spring Description
There are 3-4 springs where water flows up through limestone openings
in small alcoves. These vents each create small pools (5-12 feet
in diameter) and runs within an area of a few hundred feet of each other.
The pools all have clear but dark water and depths that appeared tp be
6-10 feet on date of visit in April 2003. The vents are framed by
trees and other vegetation, and their surfaces have duckweek and other
aquatic vegetation, although not above the vents. The runs converge
after about 200 feet to form a main run that widens from 10-30 feet wide
over the next few hundred feet before widening into a large pond that has
been created by a weir about 500 feet downstream. There is an island
in the pond, the latter of which covers several acres. In the run
shortly before it widens into the pond, there is another vent that creates
a clear and large (10 feet in diameter) click on the surface. The
depth of this vent could not be determined visually. Water flows
powerfully over the weir in a water fall and what appears to be the original
spring run. This run is about 25 feet wide and several feet deep,
and large fish were observed in the water. The banks of the run are
heavily vegetated and sub-tropical. The run flows into Shady Brook,
which flows into the southern tip of Lake Panasoffkee.
Use/Access
Nearby Springs