The above coordinates will take you to the area you can view this geological wonder and take a photo of yourself holding your gpsr and the springs in the background. This EarthCache is located inside a Florida state park and you can go to this link to see the fees and hours of operation. On average approximately 150 million gallons per day flow from the underground aquifer a short distance to the Suwannee River and a few miles into the Gulf of Mexico. It draws the water from a springshed covering over 200 square miles.
Springs form where groundwater is forced up and onto the surface through openings in the ground. This is caused by the differences in the slope or “hydraulic gradient” in the aquifer. As rain falls and percolates underground, it exerts pressure on the water already in the aquifer, forcing some to the surface through natural openings. Springs are classified or categorized based upon the amount of water discharged. A magnitude 1 spring will discharge more the 65 million gallons of water per day.
Groundwater is the largest and most readily available source of drinking water in Florida. Hydrogeology is the study of groundwater. Hydrogeology studies water using geology, hydrology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology and engineering to understand the occurrence and movement of water in a subsurface environment.
Speleogensis is a big word that describes the formation of caves. In Florida, speleogensis occurs underground through a simple chemical reaction. As rainwater falls through the atmosphere and percolates through the soil, it combines with carbon dioxide in the air and decaying vegetation to form a mild carbonic acid that slowly dissolves the limestone enlarging small cracks and pores. Over thousands of years, these small pores and cracks expand to become underground caves and caverns. Collectively, these interconnected caves are the pipes through which the groundwater flows within the aquifer to the springs.
Cave diving has become a popular attraction at Manatee Springs. The map below displays the unique aspects located beneath the walking paths and roads inside this state park.
The Manatee Spring cave system is not among the most popular cave diving sites in north-central Florida. Strong currents tend to make penetrating difficult and reduce visibility. Nevertheless, it can be an interesting dive when you are looking for something different — or when flooding makes other sites inaccessible. In fact, Manatee is at its best when conditions are at their worst elsewhere. When the Suwannee River is up, the flow in Manatee diminishes and visibility actually improves. Unlike other systems, you do not enter the cave at its main entrance. The opening is simply too restricted and the flow too high. Instead, you get in at Catfish Hotel, a slightly offset sinkhole that gives you a huge window into the side of the cave. A deck and stairs make entering the water easier (but take a look below the duck weed before you leap).
From Catfish Hotel, you turn right and head upstream along the main line. How far you get depends on factors such as flow, your breathing rate and how much gas you are carrying. When conditions are favorable, you may pass below Sue and Friedman’s Sinks. Depths throughout the cave vary widely, from 35 feet down to 90 feet. There is considerable up and down; don’t dive when you are having problems with equalizing or vertigo. The deepest depths are just upstream of Catfish, so remember that you will be getting deeper as you approach the exit (it may affect your deco).
Among the best ways to get to know Manatee is to dive under supervision of an experienced guide — someone who knows both the cave and your abilities and gas consumption. Armed with this information, a guide can set up traverse dives, such as Freidman’s to Catfish, or Catfish to the main spring entrance. In times of highest flow, by far the easiest way to dive the cave is to go downstream with the flow, while relaxing and enjoying the ride.
The previous three maps provide details of depths and features of the first 2,000 feet of the Manatee system.
Sinkholes are depressions in the land caused by dissolution of the limestone near the surface or the collapse of an underground cave. Once these “windows” to the aquifer are open, they may provide direct access to the conduits through which the water flows. As a result, they are one of the most common points of entry for the cave divers seeking to explore and study the underground aquifer.
Manatee Springs is a first magnitude spring located inside the park with the same name. In the winter (early December through March), the West Indian manatees swim upriver to the warmer waters of the spring. Popular for snorkeling and scuba diving, the headwaters of the spring are also a great spot for swimming.
An additional waypoint is listed below that indicates the start of the Sink Trail which is only about 0.6 mile long and takes less than one hour. You will have the opportunity to see various size sinks along this trail marked with hickory, magnolia, holly and oak trees.
To claim credit for this EarthCache, EMAIL your answers to the questions below to the email address on my profile. Please DO NOT post your answers in your log, even if encrypted.
You must navigate to the additional waypoints below to obtain the answers.
1. It is OPTIONAL, but you may take your picture at the coordinates listed above for the EarthCache with the springs in the background and include in your post.
2. How many first magnitude springs are there in Florida?
3. Of these first magnitude springs, where does Manatee Springs rank as largest flow?
4. What month and year did William Bartram write about this spring?
5. Where did William Bartram get the canoe to explore the springs?
6. Why was the road removed that lead to the springs?
7. What year did the highest flood stage appear at this location?
8. What is the name of the sink closest to the spring?
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Sources: www.floridasprings.org; www.cavediving.com