Summary of Features   Scale -3rd magnitude to no flow Scenery -fine How Pristine? -completely unspoiled Swimming -no Protection -private, unknown Crowds -none Access -private Facilities -none Safety -N/A Scuba -no Cost -N/A

Full Directions
About 1 mile upriver from the boat landing at Lafayette Blue Spring or 1.5 miles downriver from the Allen Mill Pond or Charles Spring boat ramps on the east side of the Suwannee River. Look for a small break in the river berm just upriver from a brown house on stilts. In time of normal or high river levels, water would be flowing from the spring through the outlet. In times of drought, the spring and run do not flow.

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 in a circular depression that opens through the levee along the Suwannee River.  On date of visit (February 2004), water flowed from a small opening in the ground (about 18 inches in diameter), creating an oval pool about 6 feet wide.  The flow then formed shallow (3-5 inches) and narrow (2-5 feet wide) run that snaked its way about 80 feet and into the Suwannee River.  Water in the spring was clear, and there was some algae in run.  Land rises up around the spring to a hieght of about 20 feet, and the rim of the depression is perhaps 75 feet across.  Hardwoods line the spring and fill the uplands above it.  The mouth of the run cuts through the natural river berm and also creates an opening in a thick stand of large tree-like shrubs (or small, shrub-like trees)

When visited by the authors in winter 2000 (a period of significant drought), the spring and its run were dry and had been for several months as evidenced by leaf build-up on the ground. A hole in the center of the depression contained perhaps of gallon of visible water as well as some trash.

Use/Access
On private property although not signposted. No apparent use.

Personal Impressions
The authors had wanted to see Thomas for several years and had visited nearly every spring around it. Discovering in 2000 that weather conditions had rendered Thomas a dry crater was, to put it mildly, something of a letdown. They had been paddling for hours and endured a soaking from a sudden thundershower. Finding it flowing again in 2004 was very gratifying for JF; RB was not along on this trip, but graciously showed no outward signs of the jealousy he felt when he saw the photographs!

Nearby Springs

Flynn Spring

Allen Mill Pond Spring

Charles Spring

Lafayette Blue Spring