SpringsWatch: Homosassa Springs

The Homosassa Springs Group is a first magnitude spring located within Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The springs group is comprised of three spring vents that discharge into a spring pool known as the “Fish Bowl”. The park is home to several captive manatees contained within a barrier located downstream of the spring. The cross-river barrier is removed during the winter months as manatees use the spring as a refuge from the cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, a variety of freshwater and saltwater fish inhabit the pool. The Homosassa Springs Group feeds the Homosassa River, which flows west for approximately 6 miles before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The entire river system is tidally influenced, particularly in the winter. 

Volunteers with the Florida SpringsWatch program conduct monthly sampling at Homosassa Springs. Our Homosassa group currently collects data for the following parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, and vertical light attenuation. In addition to water quality monitoring, this group also conducts visual fish counts within the spring. A mask and snorkel are required, click here to learn more about common fish found in the springs! The SpringsWatch program is a great way to get out to the springs, learn, and volunteer. To learn more about the data our volunteers are collecting, click on the dashboard and report  links below!

This group is currently accepting volunteers. 

Click here to sign up, contact us, or learn more about other SpringsWatch loctations!