SpringsWatch: Lower Ichetucknee River
This group is currently accepting volunteers for the “wet” sessions only.
You must have your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to participate in the wet or dry sessions for this SpringsWatch group.
The Ichetucknee River is located in North Central Florida and is a focal point for outdoor recreation in the area. The river and springs were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972, when it first opened as a Florida State Park after its 1970 purchase from the Loncala corporation. Every year, tens of thousands of people recreate along the Ichetucknee by kayaking, snorkeling, boating, and most popularly, tubing. The lower segment of the Ichetucknee River is a residential area with homes and private property lining the banks of the river
The first three miles of the Ichetucknee System are located within Ichetucknee Springs State Park and includes the head spring as well as eight additional named and multiple unnamed springs. The Ichetucknee River flows for approximately three miles south from the head spring to US Highway 27. After crossing US 27, the river flows an additional 1.8 miles to its confluence with the Santa Fe River. Our Ichetucknee SpringsWatch group focuses its attention on this lower portion of the river. Below are overview and sampling station maps for our Ichetucknee SpringsWatch program.
Volunteers with the Florida SpringsWatch program conduct monthly sampling along the Lower Ichetucknee River. Our Ichetucknee “dry” group currently collects data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, and aquatic vegetation. This group also collects water samples for the Florida LakeWatch program administered by the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension.
Our Ichtucknee “wet” group conducts in-water fish counts, snail density surveys, snail egg counts, and water clarity measurements using a horizontal Secchi disk. A mask, snorkel, and fins are required for volunteers who wish to participate in the fish counts.
SpringsWatch offers participants a deep dive into understanding the ecology of Florida springs as well as a fun day on the water helping to generate research which supports them. To learn more about the data our volunteers are collecting, click on the monitoring summary or dashboard links below.
Click here or scroll down to sign up, contact us, or learn more about other SpringsWatch locations.
Ichetucknee SpringsWatch Data And Monitoring Summaries
Become a citizen scientist and help protect Florida's Springs!
Springswatch volunteer application form
*Groups with a wait list are at capacity and currently not accepting new volunteers. If you wish to select one of these groups, we suggest applying for an additional group with no wait list to ensure you are able to participate in sampling as soon as possible. Apply for as many as you like!
SPRINGSWATCH
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Shannon Letcher
FSI SpringsWatch Coordinator
The Florida Springs Institute’s SpringsWatch programs are possible due to generous support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Ichetucknee SpringWatch also receives generous support from Ichetucknee Alliance. Thank you!
