SPringsWatch: Wekiva River
This group is currently accepting volunteers. Volunteers will be provided with canoes for sampling sessions. Paddling experience is recommended.
SPRINGSWATCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Wekiva River is located 17 miles north of Orlando. It is a major tributary to the St. Johns River, receiving over 50% of its flow from more than 30 artesian springs. The Wekiva River begins at Wekiwa Spring, a second magnitude spring discharging over 43 million gallons per day. The river is also fed by Rock Springs Run, which flows roughly 8.5 miles before meeting with the Wekiva River. Because of its natural beauty and cool waters, the Wekiva River is a popular destination for paddlers, swimmers, and visitors enjoying other water-related activities.
SpringsWatch volunteers conduct monthly sampling sessions along the upper Wekiva River. The map above shows the eight river stations. Our Wekiva group collects data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, aquatic vegetation, and visual bird surveys.
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. Yu can learn more abut the Wekiva Springs Group, here: WEKIVA SPRINGS
Click here or click the button below to apply
wekiva 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.
wekiva 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
