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.
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. 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 summary or dashboard links below.
Click here or scroll down to sign up, contact us, or learn more about other SpringsWatch locations.
Weeki Wachee River 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 SpringsWatch program was funded in part through generous support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida
