SPringsWatch: Wakulla River
This group is not currently accepting new volunteers. If you would like to join the wait list, complete the volunteer application below.
SPRINGSWATCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Located 16 miles south of Tallahassee, Wakulla Spring is one of the largest first magnitude artesian springs in Florida and the United States. Wakulla Spring lies within the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, which has been listed on the Natural Register of Historic Places and is designated a National Natural Landmark. Wakulla Spring forms the headwaters of the Wakulla River, which flows for nearly 11 miles before merging with the St. Marks River. Wakulla springs is historically renown for is natural beauty. It has been a favorite recreational site and important potable water source for residents of Leon, Wakulla, and surrounding counties. However, the river and springs have not been immune to human impacts. In recent years, they have demonstrated reductions and reversals in flow as well as increased growth of invasive hydrilla and filamentous algae, likely related to increased groundwater withdrawals for urban use.
SpringsWatch volunteers have conducted monthly sampling sessions along the Wakulla River since 2019. Our Wakulla group collects data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, and aquatic vegetation.
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. You can learn more about Wakulla Springs here: WAKULLA SPRINGS
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Wakulla 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.
Wakulla River SpringsWatch Monitoring summaries
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
