Summary of Features Scale -2nd magnitude Scenery -excellent to outstanding How Pristine? -very except for pipe drawing water Swimming -good-very good Protection-unknown Crowds -busy on warm weekends Access -very good, canoe only Facilities -none Safety -good Scuba -yes Cost -free

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
Just a few yards downriver on the same bank as Gainer Springs is Emerald Spring, a dramatic upwelling of clear water from the base of a limestone bluff.  Water flows powerfully upward adjacent to a sheer limestone wall perhaps 25 feet high.  Water flows from a limestone opening/vent that is several feet wide.  A PVC water pipe leading down a small cliff draws water from the spring for Patronis, a water bottling company.   When the river is at normal or low levels, the spring is very blue.  The water was dark when the authors visited one day in December when the river was high.  The spring is in a bend of the river, and the flow forms a pool area of about 50 by 60 feet with a sandy beach on the downstream side of the spring.  The pool was about 6 feet deep on date of visit in 2001.  Scott et al., note that there are "at least three other smaller vents issuing from the bank just above this spring" (2002, p. 27).

Note:  Scott et al., (2002) bundle Emerald Spring with the nearby Gainer and McCormick Springs and classify them all part of the Gainer Springs Group.  This is in keeping with earlier classification by Roseneau et al., 1977, which did the same thing.  Locals have given different names to the three areas, as does this web site.

Use/Access

• This spring also has "No Trespassing" signs, but one may swim in the water at the base of the limestone bluff.
• Across the highway from Pitt Spring and nearly hidden in a low area near the bridge is a canoe/kayak rental facility that operates throughout the warm months. In late fall and in winter canoes may be rented by appointment.

Personal Impressions
The pipe in the middle of the spring mars its natural appearance. Otherwise, the spring is strikingly beautiful and pristine. It is not known how much of the springflow is pumped.

Nearby Springs

• Gainer Springs
• McCormick Springs
• Pitt Spring
• Sylvian (or Sullivan ) Spring
• Williford Spring
• Ponce de Leon Springs
• Vortex Spring
• Cypress Spring
• Morrison Spring

Other Nearby Natural Features

• St. Andrews State Recreation Area
• Falling Waters State Recreation Area