Summary of Features Scale—3rd or 4th magnitude, estimated  Scenery—Outstanding  How Pristine?—Very pristine  Swimming—No  Protection—Unknown  Crowds—None  Access—Good, by boat only, then on foot up the run  Facilities—None  Safety—Good  Scuba—No  Cost—Free

Directions
Accessible via small boat.  From the center of Marianna on U.S. 90, go north on Jefferson Street (State Road 167—the same turn as for Florida Cavern State Park) and proceed about 1.5 miles to the bridge over the Chipola River. Put in and go downstream about 6.5 miles.  The spring is on the east bank, across the river from several homes.  Look and listen for a small cascade as the spring run empties into the river.  Another cue for finding the spring is to look for a modern house (just a few hundred feet upstream on the east bank of the spring) that also has a spring cascade that tumbles down the hillside/bank into the river.  GPS coordinates of mouth of spring run on the east bank of the chipola River:  N30.44.607; W85.12.601.  GPS coordinates of two main flow points:  #1 (main)--N.30.44.640; W85.12.582,  #2--N30.44.640; W85.12.600.

For maps, 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 primary spring flow is from the base of a limestone bluff set about 200 feet from the river.  Water tumbles very audibly out at the estimated rate of 3-5 gallons per second.  Water can be seen moving toward the flow point through a hole in the limestone bluff a few feet above the primary flow point.  Lesser flows were observed a few feet to the north, and there is a smaller, secondary spring run about 35 feet southwest of the main vent.  The flows combine to form a shallow (2 inches deep and 3-5 feet wide) run that goes over bare limestone, pebbles, and sand down to the river.  The run tumbles/cascades into the river down the bank, (which was two-three feet above the river surface on date of visit in March 2004).  The water was clear and had no odor.

In the upper part of the creek run, there were several round indentations (about 1” deep and 8” across) in the limestone bottom.  Some of the exposed limestone in the run was a very attractive light green.  Closer inspection reveals the presence of algae on this limestone, but it initially looked more like green rock than rock with algae on it.

Use/Access
There is no apparent use of the spring, which is in a pristine condition except for the algae.  JF was startled by a snake that rustled out of his path along the spring run.

Personal Impressions
The bluff, spring, run, and cascade altogether are very attractive and appealing.

Nearby Springs

• Baltzell (or Bosel or Bozel) Springs group
• Blue Hole Spring
• Sandbag Spring
• Unamed Grotto/Wastewater Spring
• Unnamed Alcove Spring
• Unnamed Chipola Riverbank Springs
• Dykes Spring
• Unnamed Spring Cascade
• Unnamed Rock Overhang Seep
• Unnamed 2-Tree/3-Trailer Seep
• Unnamed Possible Chipola Spring Runs (5)
• Unnamed Chipola West Bank Seeps
• Unnamed Limestone Boulders Spring
• Possible Spring run Near Highway 280 Bridge
• Merrit’s Mill Pond Springs (Jackson Blue, Shangri-La, Twin Caves, Indian Washtub, Gator)
• Spring Lake Springs (Black, Double, Gadsen [or Gadsden], Millpond, Springboard, Coffin)

Other Nearby Natural Features
Florida Caverns State Park
Three Rivers State Park
Falling Water State Park
Torreya State Park
Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve