LIVE OAK, FLA, April 6, 2021 – With over 450 documented springs, the Suwannee Valley is home to the largest concentration of freshwater springs in North America. The springs of the area have significant environmental, historical, economic and recreational value to local communities within Florida. The Suwannee River Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board has signed a proclamation recognizing April as Springs Protection Awareness Month to bring attention to these unique natural wonders.
“People travel from all over the world to explore the clear blue waters of our springs,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “It is our responsibility as a District and community to protect these springs for future generations. We work closely with the Governor’s Office and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to identify solutions to the challenges that springs face.”
The District is home to 21 of the state’s 33 first-magnitude springs. First-magnitude springs discharge more than 65 million gallons of water per day. Springs are natural windows into the Floridan aquifer and reflect groundwater conditions, which serves as the primary source of drinking water in Florida.
Springs Protection Awareness Month kicks off a month-long outreach initiative by the state and local water management districts to bring attention and awareness to one of Florida’s most critical ecosystems and what is being done to protect them.
The state of Florida is renowned for its work in water quality assessments and restoration programs. Since the beginning of the Springs Grant Funding in 2014, more than $90 million has been allocated for 58 projects in the District. The benefits of these projects include almost 20.8 million gallons per day in water savings, 2.9 million pounds of nitrogen reductions and creates almost 9,450 acres of wetland recharge.
The District provides the public with land access to many springs within north Florida such as Pot Spring, Rock Bluff Spring and Falmouth Spring.
Participate in the effort by visiting www.MySuwanneeRiver.com/MySprings and www.MyHomeMySprings.org. Share your springs story online through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube using the hashtag #MySprings.
The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. The District holds true to the belief of water for nature, water for people. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.
For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, search @SRWMD.
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