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

Salt Spring

Hernando County

Summary of Features

  • Scale--2nd magnitude
  • Scenery--excellent
  • How Pristine?--near highway, otherwise very natural
  • Swimming--unknown
  • Protection--unknown
  • Crowds--unknown
  • Access--water only, along private property
  • Facilities--none
  • Safety--unknown
  • Scuba--unknown
  • Cost--free


Directions

From the intersection of U.S. 19 and U.S. 50 at Weeki Wachee, go 3.6 miles west on U.S. 50. The spring is 100 feet south of U.S. 50 on private property.

Alternatively, the spring may be reached by boat. From the intersection of U.S. 19 and U.S. 50 at Weeki Wachee, go 3 miles west on U.S. 50. Proceed south on C.R. 595 to boat launch where the highway crosses the Weeki Wachee River. Put in boat and go downstream (west) about 3/4 mile to where Mud River Run enters the river. Paddle up Mud River Run about 2 miles , then go to right (east) off the main channel to the spring.

Spring Description

The spring forms a very attractive oval pool in dense floodplain and sub-tropical forest. Water boils up strong from beneath a large limestone ledge on the east side of the pool, and a second vent is visible on the south side of the pool that forms a smaller boil. Water in the pool is clear and bluish, and pool is approximately 75 by 50 feet wide. Hardwoods and other vegetation canopy much of the pool, and there appears to be a small run-off feeder into the pool on the north side. According to Champion & Starks, "The spring pool drains through a spring run that flows to the southeast, then southwest, eventually reaching Mud River. The spring is tidally influenced" (May 2001, p. 97).

For an aeral view of this spring and others in this region, see the following web site which focuses on finding lost money and other valuables in spring and other dive sites: www.treasuresites.com/members/wcf.htm

Use/Access

The spring is on private property. However, there is evidence that it is used by the local population for swimming and diving, as there is a path from the highway to the spring and a well-maintained rope swing on the east side of the spring pool. The authors do not know if the run is navigable from Mud River to the Spring.

JF did not see any snakes or alligators in the spring, but the remote nature of the site suggests they might be there.

Personal Impressions

Salt Spring is a very lovely and pristine spring and well worth a look.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features