Florida is home to nearly 1,000 artesian springs, forming one of the world’s most abundant aquifers. The Floridan Aquifer, a major source of groundwater in the United States, spans approximately 100,000 square miles across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. These 72-degree, mineral-rich alkaline waters support essential water infrastructure and generate significant tourism revenue.
Florida’s springs play a vital ecological role, offering a thermal refuge for endangered manatees during the winter and supporting fish populations in surviving extreme summer heat. Ancient indigenous settlements along these waterways highlight their historical significance.
Over time, recreational activities have taken a toll on these fragile ecosystems. Human activities have led to sediment build-up, and the degradation of eelgrass ecosystems—particularly at Silver Glen and Salt Springs—reflects significant ecological stress.
Silver Springs, one of Florida’s most iconic attractions, is historically the largest natural spring in the U.S. The Florida Springs Institute gave the springs’ flow a failing grade, citing a 32% reduction—equal to a daily flow loss of 170 million gallons—since the mid-1900s. This decline is attributed to reduced rainfall, vegetation encroachment in the Silver River, and regional groundwater pumping.
Organizations like the U.S. Forest Service and the Florida Native Plant Society are partnering to restore native vegetation, manage stormwater, and implement protective measures that reduce the ecological strain on these ecosystems. Yet some conservationists question whether enough is being done. Dr. Robert Knight, an environmental scientist and board director at the Florida Springs Institute, believes more action is needed.
"Combined, Florida’s springs have lost over one third of their historic flows. And about 80 percent of all of Florida’s springs are severely polluted and biologically impaired by nitrogen from fertilizers and waste waters. And yet, Florida has laws that theoretically protect springs from excessive flow reductions and nutrient pollution," Dr. Knight stated in a recent article.
Dr. Knight continued, "The state’s regional water management districts are tasked by law to protect spring 'water resource values' and to avoid 'significant harm' due to reduced flows. These state agencies set regulatory minimum spring flow reductions to less than 5 to 10 percent. Yet, flawed groundwater flow models provide a smokescreen for these water protection agencies to allow farmers and developers to withdraw more than 30 percent of all spring flows."
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says it has taken steps to safeguard these resources through initiatives aimed at reducing pollution, restoring natural habitats, and enhancing water quality. Through the establishment of Spring Protection Zones and ongoing efforts to monitor and mitigate environmental impacts, the DEP’s Springs Protection Program is an essential component of the state’s broader conservation strategy.
By focusing on reducing nutrient pollution and implementing sustainable water management practices, the agency believes these programs play a critical role in reversing ecological damage and preserving the aquifer’s health.
