Jackson County
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Summary of Features
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Baltzell #1
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Baltzell # 2 |
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Baltzell # 3 |
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Baltzell # 4 |
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Young Alligator Nearby |
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Canoes are kept at the put-in point on a rack for trips up the Chipola and can be rented at the entrance to the park. From the boat launch, head upstream about a mile to the Baltzell Springs group. Baltzell consists of four springs. The authors have numbered them so that the one farthest upstream is Baltzell #4. Baltzell #2 is the easiest to find and the others can be located in relation to it. The run to Baltzell #2 is on the right side of the river, as you canoe upstream. A few minutes before you get there, you will see a couple of park boundary signs up in the trees.
All four springs share a basic description of having very clear blue water (when the Chipola is not high), sudden drop-offs after shallow sandbars or runs, and quantities of small, nibbling minnows. They are about the same size—basins of 20-30 feet in diameter—and depth—10-20 feet. Combined, the springs constitute a sizeable first-magnitude flow; Spring #2 is the largest and is a second-magnitude spring.
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 Descriptions
Baltzell #1 is the first spring in the group coming from the put-in
at the state park downriver. It lies at the back of a run shaped like the
number "7." At a spot where the river veers to the right, the mouth of
Baltzell #1’s run is straight ahead, to the left (west) of a narrow strip
of land/vegetated sandbar jutting out into the river. Follow the run, which
is 1-3 feet deep, about 100 feet to the spring. The spring drops away to
form an oval basin about 25 feet wide and 40 feet long. There is a east/west
trending fissure along the bottom in the center of the pool, about 20 feet
long and from 6-12 feet deep. The water in the pool is clear and blue.
The bottom is mostly rock and sand and is easily stirred. There are small
minnows in the water. In times of high water, this spring can be swampy.
Baltzell #2—Perhaps the largest and most attractive of the four springs, #2 has the longest run and is the spring referred to as "Bosel Spring" in Rosenau et al. (1977, p. 179). Look for the clear run entering the Chipola River from the right (east) side. The shallow, transparent run is about 30 feet wide, 1-3 feet deep, and 800 feet long, ending in the main spring. The spring drops off suddenly at the end of the shallow run and forms a semicircular pool 35 feet in diameter. Water flows from a large limestone opening along a fissure about 18 feet long. An opening at about 12 feet leads straight down to a cave. Water also appears to flow from the back of the fissure, forming a prominent slick on the surface. DeLoach reports the cave is small and silty (1997, p. 129). Water in the spring is clear and very blue in the sunlight. The bottom of the spring area is sandy and rocky, with many minnows. The run is covered in aquatic vegetation. JF was told that there is a very attractive sinkhole behind the head of this spring.
Baltzell #3—Until around 2005, this spring was located just upstream on the right (about 40 feet) from where Baltzell #2's run joins the Chipola, is Baltzell #3, surrounded by the less-clear waters of the river. It did not have a run, but opened directly into the river. The circular and cypress-lined basin is about 25 feet across and drops off from a sandbar that is covered in vegetation (sometimes submerged, depending on the depth of the river). Cavern walls were clearly evident.The water was an intense clear blue and dropped to a crevice about 15 feet down. The crevice was about 15 feet long and was perpendicular to the river. There was a very large tree at the back of the spring. Currently, this spring does not appear to flow, and the large tree has fallen over. However, now, a new spring run enters into this pool at the back of the pool. The run is several feet wide and winds back perhaps 200-250 feet to another--apparently new--spring pool. This pool is 12-15 feet in diameter. Water in the spring is clear and bluish, and there is an evident boil. The depth is at least 12 feet, and tree branches and roots are visible at the bottom. The authors speculate that the falling of the giant tree at the former spring somehow interrupted/blocked the normal flow of the spring, and pressure then caused a new spring to erupt behind the old one.
Baltzell #4 is upriver of Baltzell #3 about 100 feet and on the opposite (left or west bank). Like #3, Baltzell #4 also opens directly into the river. It is framed by a vegetated sandbar and large fallen logs, big enough to stand on and jump into the spring. On dates of visit in 1998-2001, there were two logs crossing the spring pool above the surface, and two below the surface. The spring has a strong vertical flow and boil from at least one limestone opening that appears to be 15-20 feet deep. Water flows out of the vent and over the vegetated sandbar into the adjacent Chipola River
Use/Access
Local Springiana
At the bridge near the boat launch in the state park is a manmade channel
above the spot where the river went goes underground. The river emerges
about 1/4 of a mile downstream. In the early 1900s, a "ditch" (channel)
was built to float logs downstream. The channel looks almost natural now,
and if it were not for the signs, you might think the river continued above
ground, but in a narrower channel. This disappearing act is like that of
other rivers such as the St. Marks, Santa Fe, and Aucilla. Canoes are not
allowed in the "ditch"--paddling upstream is the only option.
The spring name has been corrected by state officials, and is now known
as Baltzell after a landowner near the spring. The names "Bosel"
and "Bozell" are bastardizations of the correct name that took hold over
time.
Personal Impressions
These four springs—three of which (#s 1, 3, & 4) are within 300
feet of each other, form a magnificent "spring quartet." Their unspoiled
character, easy accessibility, good swimming, excellent snorkeling, clear
water, and beautiful setting are a unique combination and make them a favorite
of the authors. The State of Florida needs to extend the boundaries of
the state park to prevent development at these springs. One spring (#2)
has a house nearby, and while the others do not, their protection should
be a priority.
Nearby Springs
Other Nearby Natural Features
Three Rivers State Park
Falling Water State Park
Torreya State Park
Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve
Contact Information:
Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, FL 32446
850-482-9598