Rainbow Springs Spring Dashboard
Current Readings
73.8° F
Water Temp.
7.64
pH
280 uS/cm
Specific Conductance
0.13 ppth
Salinity
6.49 mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen
Current Conditions
Historical Average Rainfall
for April: 2.94
in
Actual Rainfall Received
for April: 0 in
Springshed Region Rainfall
This graph displays the moving 12-month rainfall total as measured within the Rainbow 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
Rainbow River Stream Flow:
454 mgd (8/1/2022)
?This number is the most recently measured value of how much water flows down the Rainbow River and is measured in million gallons per day (mgd). Nearly all of the river's stream flow is from groundwater flowing out of the Rainbow Springs headsprings and other springs discharging into the river. For reference, one million gallons is enough water to fill about 100 residential swimming pools!
This graph displays the moving 12-month average of daily Rainbow River stream flow since 1995. The area between the red and green lines is the expected normal range (between the 25th and 75th percentiles) of stream flow.
Nitrate Concentration
Nitrate Concentration:
2.60 mg/L (5/3/2022)
?This number is the most recently measured nitrate value in milligrams per liter (mg/L) from the Rainbow 4 Spring vent. 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.
This graph displays the levels of nitrate over time from the Rainbow 4 Spring vent 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). 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
View from headsprings looking downriver. (Inset: State of Florida counties and Rainbow Springs Springshed location.)
Rainbow Springs, Marion County
This map links to an interactive overview of the Rainbow Springs springshed. When you zoom in on the Rainbow River, the map also shows data collection sites associated with the information presented in the dashboard.
Clarity
Clarity at Headsprings:
235 feet (7/26/2022)
Clarity at CR 484 Bridge:
38 feet (4/21/2022)
These two numbers represent the clarity of the water (how far you can see under water), in feet, in the Rainbow Springs headsprings and also at a location downstream. These measurements show how water clarity changes as you move further from the headsprings down the river. Based on these water clarity values, Rainbow Springs has very clear water with measured distances of 200 feet or more, ranking it one of the clearest fresh waters found on Earth (Davis-Colley and Smith, Optically pure spring water, New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1995, Vol. 29; 251-256).
Interactive Land Use Map
This map links to an interactive map of land use within the Rainbow 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.
