SpringsWatch: Ponce de leon springs
This group is currently accepting new volunteers.
Our Ponce de Leon SpringsWatch team focuses on Ponce de Leon Spring located within Ponce de Leon Springs State Park in Holmes County. This second magnitude spring is a favorite swimming hole for local residents. Surrounded by a lush hardwood forest, the Ponce de Leon spring is a convergence of two underwater flows and produces 14 million gallons of water daily. The state park is bisected by Sandy Creek, a blackwater creek that runs through the park.
PONCE DE LEON SpringsWatch Data AND Monitoring Summaries
Volunteers with the Florida SpringsWatch program conduct monthly sampling sessions at Ponce de Leon Springs. Our Ponce de Leon SpringsWatch group collects data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, and aquatic vegetation. In addition to water quality monitoring, this group also conducts visual fish counts within the spring. A mask, snorkel, and fins are required for volunteers who wish to participate in the fish survey. (Click here to learn more about the fish commonly found in Florida springs.)
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 above.
Click here or scroll down to sign up, contact us, or learn more about other SpringsWatch locations.
Become a citizen scientist And Help Protect Florida's Springs!
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PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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volunteer application form
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frequently asked questions
The Ponce de Leon SpringsWatch program is funded in part through generous support from:
Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the annual First Magnitude Springs Run!
