Crystal River/Kings Bay Spring Dashboard

Current Readings at Three Sisters Springs

As of Mar. 28, 2024, 8:37 pm

74.3° F

Water Temp.

7.75

pH

568 uS/cm

Specific Conductance

0.27 ppth

Salinity

3.69 mg/l

Dissolved Oxygen

Current Conditions

Historical Average Rainfall
for March: 4.03 in
Actual Rainfall Received
for March: 0 in

Springshed Region Rainfall

Data source: SWFWMD

This graph displays the moving 12-month rainfall total as measured within the Kings Bay Springs springshed since 1995. The area between the red and green lines is the expected normal range (between the 25th and 75th percentiles) of rainfall.

Stream Flow

Crystal River/Kings Bay Stream Flow:
207 mgd (7/12/2023)

The Crystal River/Kings Bay estimated stream flow information will recommence upon the reconstruction/relocation of the USGS cooperative monitoring platform that went offline 5/20/2016 due to damage from a boat collision. This number is the most recent estimated value of how much water flows out of all the Kings Bay springs and is measured in million gallons per day (mgd). The springs are affected by tides from the Gulf of Mexico and flow values will vary across a full tidal cycle. Nearly all of the flow into Kings Bay is from groundwater sources, which come from the Kings Bay springs. For reference, one million gallons is enough water to fill about 100 residential swimming pools!

Data source: SWFWMD

The Crystal River/Kings Bay estimated stream flow information will recommence upon the reconstruction/relocation of the USGS cooperative monitoring platform that went offline 5/20/2016 due to damage from a boat collision. This graph displays the moving 30-day average of estimated spring flow from Kings Bay since 2006. The flow is calculated using an empirical formula which was derived using a combination of measured flows at the numerous spring vents and model results of a hydrodynamic simulation.

Nitrate Concentration

Tarpon Hole: 0.21 mg/L (4/18/2022)
Hunter Spring: 0.62 mg/L (4/18/2022)
Kings Bay Average: 0.09 mg/L (4/27/2022)

Nitrate concentration data for Kings Bay/Crystal River for the January 2017 sample event were not collected due to restricted access within the designated manatee sanctuary boundaries. These numbers are the most recently measured nitrate values in milligrams per liter (mg/L) from two of the Kings Bay spring vents, Hunter Spring and Tarpon Hole Spring (aka King Spring), and an average nitrate value from 12 surface water sampling sites across Kings Bay. Excess levels of nitrate in water can be harmful to aquatic insects, amphibians and fish. If algae have an unlimited source of nitrate, excess growth may occur. Large amounts of algae growth can cause reduced water clarity and extreme fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, which is stressful to aquatic life.

Data source: SWFWMD

This graph displays levels of nitrate over time from two of the Kings Bay spring vents, Hunter Spring and Tarpon Hole Spring (aka King Spring), since 1995. The red line on the graph shows the statewide numeric nutrient criteria for nitrate levels in springs, which is 0.35 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Also shown is an average surface water nitrate level from 12 sites across Kings Bay since 2003. Excess levels of nitrate in water can be harmful to aquatic insects, amphibians and fish. If algae have an unlimited source of nitrate, excess growth may occur. Large amounts of algae growth can cause reduced water clarity and extreme fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, which is stressful to aquatic life.

Location

Map of Florida
Crystal River/Kings Bay

View of Three Sisters Springs in Kings Bay. (Inset: State of Florida counties and Crystal River/Kings Bay Springshed location.)

Crystal River/Kings Bay, Citrus County

Springshed map
Data source: SWFWMD, Esri

This map links to an interactive overview of the Kings Bay Springs springshed. When you zoom in on Kings Bay, the map also shows data collection sites associated with the information presented in the dashboard.

Clarity

Clarity at Tarpon Hole:
7 feet (4/27/2022)

Clarity at Hunter Spring:
21 feet (4/27/2022)

Clarity at Kings Bay Average:
9 feet (4/27/2022)

Data source: SWFWMD

These numbers represent the clarity of the water (how far you can see under water), in feet, at two surface water sampling sites near Hunter Spring (KBN2) and Tarpon Hole Spring (KBS8), and also an average clarity distance from measurements at 12 sites across Kings Bay. These measurements show how water clarity changes as you move further from the springs into the open water of the bay. Based on these water clarity values, Kings Bay can have fairly clear water near the springs, with measured distances of 20 feet or more, and less clear water typically occurs in the open bay due to mixing of tidal waters from the Gulf of Mexico.

Interactive Land Use Map

Data source: SWFWMD, Esri

This map links to an interactive map of land use within the Kings Bay Springs springshed. The urban and disturbed category contains classifications such as residential, industrial and transportation. The natural areas category contains classifications including upland forested and nonforested areas, as well as wetlands. The main dashboard page displays a fade of both 1995 and 2009 land use. The interactive map initially displays 1995 land use, but allows for cycling through of the years 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2009 by use of the "Time" button and slider.