SPringsWatch: Weeki Wachee River
This group is currently accepting new volunteers. Volunteers must have their own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to participate in this group.
SPRINGSWATCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Weeki Wachee Springs and Spring Run System (Weeki Wachee River) is located in western Hernando County and is a focal point for outdoor recreation in the area. Rainbow, Crystal River/Kings Bay, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weeki Wachee comprise what is known as the Springs Coast. The headspring that feeds the Weeki Wachee River is located in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The Weeki Wachee River flows approximately 7.5 miles from its headspring until it meets the Gulf of Mexico. Weeki Wachee is renown for its natural beauty, but also for its man-made attractions such as the water park, underwater theatre, and mermaid shows.
Volunteers with the Florida SpringsWatch program conduct monthly sampling along the Weeki Wachee River and have been monitoring at Weeeki Wachee since 2018. Our Weeki Wachee group collects data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, water clarity via horizontal Secchi disk measurements, aquatic vegetation, and wildlife. In addition to water quality monitoring, this group also conducts visual fish counts within the river. A mask, snorkel, and fins are needed for volunteers who wish to participate in fish surveys. (Click here to learn more about common fish found in the 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 summaries below.
Click here or the button below to apply:
WEEKI WACHEE 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.
Weeki Wachee 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
