Homosassa Springs has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s and is now located within a state park that features a fishbowl observatory and manatee rehabilitation.
About the Springs
The Homosassa River is a first-magnitude spring system originating in western Citrus County. Homosassa Springs is at the headwaters of this short, slow moving tidal river, which flows 8 miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Many springs make up the Homosassa River system. The main spring can be viewed from the underwater observatory at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This spring is unique because the headspring vent flows from three points underground with varying water quality and different salinities that blend together before exiting into the large pool underneath the observatory. In addition, there are two smaller spring-fed tributaries flowing into the Homosassa River, which are the Southeast Fork and the Halls River.
The Homosassa springshed, which contributes groundwater to the Homosassa spring system, is approximately 286 square miles and covers a significant amount of land in northern Hernando County and central Citrus County. Rainfall in this region directly affects the amount of water discharged from the springs by impacting the water level in the aquifer, which provides the driving force for spring flow. Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, tidal stage also impacts the amount of flow from springs in the Homosassa River system. Click here to view the spring flow data for the Homosassa River.
Challenges
The primary issues facing this system include nitrate enrichment, changing salinity, potential decreases in historical flows and decreases in desirable aquatic vegetation. Nitrate concentrations are higher compared to historical concentrations for many of the springs in the Homosassa River system. These elevated concentrations can have adverse effects on the ecosystem. Long-term spring flow is largely affected by rainfall patterns and to a lesser extent by groundwater withdrawals. The Homosassa River system has an adopted Minimum Flows and Levels (MFL). Changes in vegetation are likely due to a combination of drivers including invasive species competition, recreation, sediment accumulation, and salinity. Changing salinity, particularly due to sea level rise and from frequent storm events such as hurricanes, is an emerging issue in the Homosassa River. Development has replaced much of the natural shoreline and adjacent wetlands surrounding the river.
Unique Features
Homosassa Springs has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s. During that time, trains would stop to let rail passengers rest at the springs while it was loaded with fish, crabs, cedar wood and spring water. The headsprings area is now part of the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This park features native wildlife that are unable to survive in the wild on their own and serves as ambassadors for their species.
Homosassa Springs and the area where the Southeast Fork joins, locally known as Blue Waters, serves as an important Florida manatee warm water refuge. Several captive manatees are kept in the spring pool/run for rehabilitation and education during the summer.
About one mile downstream of the main spring, the Homosassa River is joined by the Halls River, which is a spring-fed tidal creek that extends about three miles northeast. Following the junction of the Halls River, the Homosassa River widens and transitions from a fresh, clear water spring to a tannin-colored, brackish river.
The river is home to both freshwater and saltwater species of animals due to the influence of the Gulf of Mexico. For example, freshwater fish are more commonly found during the summer months and saltwater fish are more common in the winter. Visitors can spot fish, manatees, dolphins and stingrays swimming in the river.
Data Collection
Water quality is routinely monitored in the Homosassa River, with some parameters collected hourly. The data is available through the District’s Environmental Data Portal. Various information is collected including nitrate levels, water clarity, spring flow and salinity. Submerged aquatic vegetation is currently mapped twice a year within the river at specified locations. A summary of the current data for the Homosassa River in relation to the parameters collected by the District can be viewed in this report:
Springs Management
The District has designated the Homosassa River system as a Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) priority water body. Additionally, this system is designated as an Outstanding Florida Spring and an Outstanding Florida Water by the state. These designations provide additional protections and require management plans to ensure the river's conservation and restoration for future generations. The District has invited local, regional and state agencies to form the Springs Coast Committees, whose first goal is to develop management plans tailored for each spring system. The Homosassa River’s management plan, called a SWIM Plan, can be viewed here:
Project Highlights
- Homosassa Habitat Enhancement (completed)
- Homosassa South Fork Water Quality Improvement (completed)
- Homosassa Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Mapping (ongoing)