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Summary of Features
Scale—1st magnitude in reverse
Scenery—excellent
How Pristine?—completely pristine
Swimming—no!
Protection—unknown
Crowds—none
Access—good/canoe only
Facilities—none
Safety—potentially dangerous vortex
Scuba—unknown
Cost—free
Directions
From Ft. White, drive south on State Road 47 about five miles to the
bridge over the Santa Fe River. The spring is approximately 1 mile
upriver from the boat ramp, on the northeast side. The spring is
about 0.5 miles upstream of Myrtle’s Fissure. Look for swirling vegetation
adjacent to the bank.
For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address: http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida
Siphon Description
The siphon is circular and 5-6 feet in diameter adjacent to the bank.
Water swirls swiftly and powerfully from the Santa Fe River and down into
the aquifer. A large clump of eel grass was spinning continuously
in the center of the siphon. The eel grass was formed by centrifugal
force into the shape of a cone or tornado, with a diameter of over two
feet at the top/surface, and tapering as it extended underwater. This large
clump was spinning at the rate of 1-2 revolutions per second. The
surface of the siphon and edge of the Santa Fe River were about 18 inches
below the adjacent floodplain hardwood forest on date of visit in 2002.
Another, much smaller siphon (Little Awesome), is a few yards downstream on the same bank.
Use/Access
Other Nearby Natural Features
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
O’Leno State Park
San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
Devil’s Millhopper State Geologic Site
River Rise State Preserve
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park