Bluebird Spring
Citrus County
Summary of Features
- Scale - 2ndmagnitude (estimated) Scenery - fair
- How Pristine? - exotics in water, retaining wall, land cleared for park
- Swimming - no
- Protection - unknown
- Crowds - can be large on warm weekends
- Access - excellent
- Facilities - very good
- Safety - very good
- Scuba - no
- Cost - free
Directions
From U.S. 19 in Homosassa, turn south onto Highway 480 (Yulee Drive). Continue about a mile, then turn left onto Blue Bird Springs Road. There is a sign for the park at the turn.
Spring Description
The spring forms a large oval pool that is about 225 feet long and 120 feet wide. One side of the spring has a low concrete retaining wall, and a portion is also fenced in one corner by the retaining wall.* The flow point or points in the pool could not be determined, as the pool was filled with exotic vegetation and there was no boil on the surface. The depth could not be determined with any accuracy, but the water was clear to a depth of 4-5 feet. There were herons and turtles in the pool. Land around the pool has been cleared to create a park.
There is some trash in the pool and run. Water flows from the main pool area to form a run that is initially about 100 feet wide. After about 200 feet, the run narrows to about 15 feet across and 2-3 feet deep.
Use/Access
- The spring is the site of a city park and has picnic pavilions, grill areas, picnic tables, and restrooms.
- *The fenced corner also had an area that was walled in concrete, but JF did not know what it was for.
Springiana
The owner of a local hotel in Homosassa told the authors that Bluebird Spring no longer flows. However, water was flowing from the pool into the creek when JF visited the site in April 2001.
Personal Impressions
The spring and park are not attractive.
Nearby Springs
- Homosassa Spring li>Other Homosassa Headwaters Spring
- Echo Spring
- Crystal River/King’s Bay Springs Group
- Chassahowitzka Springs Group
- Rainbow Springs Group
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Rainbow Springs State Park
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
- Withlacoochie State Forest