Springs Fever: A Field & Recreation Guide to 500 Florida Springs.

Orange Spring

Marion County

Summary of Features

  • Scale - 2nd magnitude 
  • Scenery - fine
  • How Pristine? - low wall around spring, some land cleared, plant nearby
  • Swimming - no
  • Protection - unknown
  • Crowds - none
  • Access - restricted
  • Facilities - fair
  • Safety - very good
  • Scuba - no
  • Cost - NA


Directions

From county line where Highway 21 crosses Orange Creek into Marion County from Putnam County, take first turn east into parking lot for Acappella Natural Spring Water bottling plant. The spring is behind the plant. >

Spring Description

The spring lies in a low area near Orange Creek and forms a nearly circular pool that is about 85 by 100 feet in diameter. The pool is bordered by a low concrete retaining wall that raised the water level for swimming. Water in the pool is shallow - 2-4 feet - except at the south end when the bottom drops away to a depth that appeared to be over 20 feet among limestone ledges. The water is fairly clear and is greenish. There are algae and waterplants in the pool, and the spring has a sulfur odor.

Water exits the pool on the east side through an opening in the concrete and flows over a short flume into the natural spring run. There is algae in the run, which is only a few inches deep, flows swiftly, and is about 10 feet wide. Land on the western side of the pool is partially clear and is used as a picnic area. The rest of the land around the pool is lush hardwood and pine forest and floodplain.

Use/Access

Local Springiana

Personal Impressions
The bottling plant has a vested interest in taking care of the spring, and their extractions made no visible impact on the spring, its level, or its appearance.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features