First Magnitude Florida

In 1851, Stephen Foster wrote a song romanticizing the life of a slave. The song was written for the purpose of a minstrel show, and became known as “Swanee River”. In 1913, it was designated as Florida’s state song (with some revised lyrics in 2008). Some governors have refused to play it during inauguration, but it remains a well known tune to most Floridians. Ironically, Stephen Foster never stepped foot in the state of Florida.

The star of the song, the Suwannee River, originates from the Okefenokee swamp in Georgia. The river winds through Florida on its ambitious route to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, the black river water mixes with Florida aquifer discharge from various springs. Round pools of crystal clear water, nestled into the woods just off of the main river, connect the aquifer to the Suwannee. Fanning and Manatee Springs are two of the largest of these pools, situated approximately 10 river miles from each other.

Fanning Springs

Fanning is designated as a “historical” first magnitude spring, while Manatee continues to earn its first magnitude classification. A “historical” denotation means that a spring is no longer its former self. In many areas of the state, the withdrawal of aquifer water is speedier than the replenishment by the watershed. Thus, spring flows are reduced, or springs disappear entirely. It is like withdrawing funds from a bank account more quickly than you deposit funds.

Fanning now discharges less than 64 million gallons of water daily, and is classified as a second magnitude spring.

Manatee Springs

Manatee Springs is the largest spring to feed into the Suwannee River. Manatee hosts a state park, which offers a place to launch a canoe or kayak along the short spring run. Once the spring run ends, you are in the powerful current of the Suwannee river. It is an enjoyable place to visit, with board walks, nature trails, and the spring to swim in.

The water quality and clarity at Manatee Springs was notably poor. While diving in the springs, the depth of vision is only about 10 feet. You can see from the photograph of the manatees how much algae growth there is, due to an overabundance of nutrients. Septic tanks are the most common sanitary systems in the Suwannee River Basin, according the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Septic tanks and fertilizers are major sources of nitrates and phosphates, which pollute the groundwater and promote algae growth.

A Word on Adventure

Adventure – you can go looking for it, you can create it, or it can happen to you unexpectedly. Its a word that can be used as a noun or verb, and is often the result of exploration. But more than all that, it is an attitude. Adventure is a state of mind. As a five year old, you could create an adventure with an imagination and some bed-sheets, without ever leaving the house. Nowadays, that imagination may not be as active. You may believe that, in order to find adventure, you must fly to Cuzco to hike Machu Picchu, or to France to wonder the streets of Paris, or to Moroco to ride a camel in the desert night.

If you would like some adventure in your life this weekend, make it a frame of mind. Explore something new or old in your state, take a willing partner with you, and go with an attitude and imagination conducive to having a grand experience in your backyard.