Summary of Features
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Directions
Located along the bank (where exactly) at Rum Island County Park. From
High Springs, drive NW on US 27/SR20 about four miles. Turn left (west)
onto State Road 138 and drive about two miles to turnoff to the left (south)
at sign for Rum Island. Follow dirt road about 1.5 miles to river. The
spring is in a large pool to the right (west) of the parking area.
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 eponymous spring at Rum Island is a single fissure in the SW portion
of the 200-foot-diameter pool that it forms NW of
Rum Island. The water is clear and greenish in tint, and in the
deeper sections is heavily infested with hydrilla. On dates of visit
in 1999 and 2000, the entire area around the vent, which is about 7
feet deep, was covered with exotic vegetation. In 2002,
the area between the spring and the shore had been cleared, but the
vent was still surrounded by hydrilla.
Water flows strongly from a curved flying saucer-shaped cavern entrance
that is about 10 feet long and 3-4 feet high in the
center. There is a 3-foot bank around the pool that is heavily
eroded by recreational use. The water gets more shallow as it
approaches the bank. The large pool opens directly into the Santa
Fe River.
Use/Access
Personal Impressions
The spring is a major feature of this popular park, and is a local
swimmin’ hole of long standing. The banks are badly eroded, however,
and the site would greatly benefit from having a boardwalk around the edge
and steps into the spring pool. A sign on the dirt road leading to Rum
Island advertising "Nubian Goats 4 Sale" is a nice feature.
Nearby Springs