Summary of Features
|
 |
) |
) |
|
) |
Directions
From intersection of U.S. 19 and U.S. 98, go west on Highway 480, a.k.a.
Miss Maggie's Drive. Follow 1.7 miles to the end, passing small homes and
the Chassahowitzka River Lodge on the right. Turn right at signs
for the Chassahowitzka River Campground and follow to headwaters.
From the boat ramp, go downriver about two miles, passing the three tree-covered
islands and the remains of an old railroad trestle that once crossed the
river. The creek is over 300 feet wide at this point, and estuary-like.
After the trestle, move to the right (north) side of the river and go perhaps
another 800-1,000 feet to mouth of Potter Creek. Paddle (or pole/plow
in low tide) up the creek about ¾ mile to the spring at the creek’s
headwaters at Potter Spring. The water gets somewhat deeper in the
run. The bottom becomes shallow and rocky near Potter Spring.
Look for the mouth of the Ruth Spring run at the back, right (NE) end of the Potter Spring basin. Paddle in as far as possible and then walk in the run or overland to the spring, an estimated 400 feet.
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
The spring is set in dense subtropical canopied floodplain forest.
The narrow (8-12 feet) and winding run is clear and sandy near Potter Spring
but soon becomes muddy. The depth of the run is generally about one
foot, but has numerous deep spots that can be either muddy or with sharp
rocks on the bottom. On date of visit, the authors portaged several
times before having to get out and walk at a spot a few hundred feet in
the run where a fallen palm, other obstructions, and hairpin turns rendered
the further upstream passage extremely difficult.
At this point the authors (and JF’s then 8-year-old daughter) almost turned back but resolved to continue around two more bends of the run. At the second of the bends is the first two of three spring vents. Two small holes lie on either side of a widening in the run, with a large tree in the middle.
The vent on the right is a clear crevice about five feet deep. The vent on the left is more subtle and not inviting. The bottom is mucky and RB sank to his chest and was unable to go further. JF took a different route and was able to see and photograph the main pool which is few feet further and around the corner. The pool is about 40 feet long and 14 feet across and has a deep area from which the water emanates. The depth of the main pool could not be determined, and the only way to get into it was by swimming—something neither author was willing to do. It is this pool that is described by Champion and Starks as a "vent formed by a large fracture in the limestone approximately 10 feet deep and 2-3 feet wide" (May 2001, p. 72).
Use/Access
Nearby Springs