SPringsWatch: Rainbow River
This group is accepting new volunteers. Volunteers must have their own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to participate.
Springswatch FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Rainbow Springs consists of twelve named vents that discharge groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer System at a combined historic average discharge of more than 485 million gallons per day (MGD), making it one of the largest first magnitude spring systems in Florida. Rainbow Springs forms the headwaters of the Rainbow River, which is nearly 6 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River in Dunnellon, Marion County.
The clear waters of Rainbow Springs start their journey halfway between Ocala and the Gulf of Mexico. Rainbow is one of the largest spring groups in Florida, and is located in Rainbow Springs State Park. Although the caves are too small for diving, the magnificent water and state park facilities make this spring a swimmer’s paradise. Downstream from the headsprings, several smaller springs flow forth from limestone walls providing a rare glimpse at the karst geology that makes Florida’s springs possible. From a private attraction that competed with Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee for tourists in the early 1900s to a state park of national recognition, Rainbow Springs offers a vibrant sample of Florida’s relationship with its springs.
Our Rainbow SpringsWatch Team has been collecting data at Rainbow Springs and Rainbow River since 2017. This includes water quality monitoring of Dissolved Oxygen, Specific Conductance, Temperature, Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), and nitrates. Ecological monitoring includes vegetation, bird, and fish surveys. You can find annual reports of this data below.
You can apply for this group by clicking the button here:
Rainbow River 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.
Rainbow River SpringsWatch Monitoring summary REPORTS
Become a citizen scientist and help protect Florida's springs!
SPRINGSWATCH
COORDINATOR
The Rainbow SpringsWatch program is funded in part through generous support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the Live Wildly Foundation, the annual First Magnitude Springs Run hosted by First Magnitude Brewing Company, and Rainbow River Conservation.
