SpringsWatch: Kings BAy Springs
This group is currently accepting new volunteers. Volunteers must have access to their own kayaks to participate in this group.
SPRINGSWATCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our Kings Bay SpringsWatch team is recruiting volunteers. If you are interested in being part of this area’s first SpringsWatch team, reach out to us by completing the volunteer application below.
Located within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, Kings Bay is a first magnitude Florida springs system with over 70 springs pumping out 600 million gallons of freshwater per day from the Floridan Aquifer. The area is prime winter habitat for the threatened Florida Manatee, which gather by the hundreds in the life-sustaining 72-degree spring waters when temperatures drop in the Gulf of Mexico. Our Kings Bay SpringsWatch team will conduct monthly monitoring sessions via kayaks. Citizen scientist volunteers will paddle a six-mile loop to collect data from up to seven springs: Three Sisters, Idiot’s Delight, Magnolia, Jurassic, Hunter, Catfish, and King.
At up to seven springs in the Kings Bay system, SpringsWatch volunteers collect data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, and aquatic vegetation. This group also conducts visual fish counts. Volunteers will need their own kayak, as well as snorkeling gear if they wish to participate in the fish counts. (Click here to learn more about the fish commonly found in Florida springs.)
SpringsWatch offers volunteers a deep dive into understanding the ecology of Florida springs through a fun day on the water that helps generate research which supports them.
Click here or the button below to apply:
*NOTE: In 2026, Sampling Station KB – 6: Catfish Spring will be replaced with a sampling station at Tarpon Hole. This station is restricted during manatee season, as per Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge regulations. Sampling will begin at Tarpon Hole in April 2026.
Kings Bay SpringsWatch Data
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) refers to the amount of “Free oxygen” dissolved in the water. Adequate concentrations of DO are necessary for rooted aquatic plants, invertebrates, and fish to prosper. Spring water typically has lower DO compared to river/surface water due to its underground origin, where groundwater is not in contact with the air and sunlight necessary for photosynthesis that produces oxygen.
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE
Specific Conductance is a measure of how easily an electrical current can pass through water. Since groundwater typically carries dissolved limestone, its specific conductance is higher than what is measured from surface water. Specific conductance levels are also influenced by the presence of pollution (nitrate-nitrogen from fertilizers), and salt from salt water intrusion.
TEMPERATURE
Due to the subterranean source of emerging groundwater, the temperature of Florida’s springs typically averages 72 degrees F (22 degrees C) across the state. Groundwater temperature is dependent on the average annual air temperature, so springs in North Florida are slightly colder than springs further south. Water temperature at river stations fluctuates more rapidly than at springs stations.
Kings Bay SpringsWatch Data and Report Monitoring Summary
Become a citizen scientist And Help Protect Florida's Springs!
SPRINGSWATCH
COORDINATOR
The Florida SpringsWatch program is funded in part through generous support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the Live Wildly Foundation, and the annual First Magnitude Springs Run hosted by First Magnitude Brewing Company
