Rainbow Springs Group
Rainbow Springs Group includes at least twelve spring vents and is a first magnitude Outstanding Florida Spring Group, located in Marion County in the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The clear waters of Rainbow Springs start their journey halfway between Ocala and the Gulf of Mexico. With a combined average outflow of 450 million gallons of water per day, Rainbow is one of the largest spring groups in Florida, and is located in Rainbow Springs State Park. According to the state park system, “Today, the Rainbow River is a designated National Natural Landmark, a Florida aquatic preserve, and an Outstanding Florida Water.” Although the caves are too small for diving, the magnificent water and state park facilities make this spring a swimmer’s paradise. Downstream from the headsprings, several smaller springs flow forth from limestone walls providing a rare glimpse at the karst geology that makes Florida’s springs possible. From a private attraction that competed with Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee for tourists in the early 1900s to a state park of national recognition, Rainbow Springs offers a vibrant sample of Florida’s relationship with its springs.
In 2016, the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act.
Rainbow Springs is currently one of the twenty four Outstanding Florida Springs or Springs Groups that is considered “impaired”.
Historic images
The following images were provided courtesy of the State Archives of Florida. This incredible photographic library provides a window into the historic spring landscape, documenting changing spring and surface water levels, as well as human use and development in this special location.
Science Hub
This is the location for access to data related to this spring. Below, you will find links to reports, data, as well as maps and information from the Florida Springs Institute’s Blue Water Audit project about this particular spring or spring group.
The Blue Water Audit is a tool developed by the Florida Springs Institute to estimate and visualize the impact of human activities on the Floridan Aquifer. Using existing data from a variety of sources, the Blue Water Audit estimates nitrogen loading and groundwater withdrawals for the Florida Springs Region. These estimates are used to assign Aquifer Footprints – a Floridan Aquifer Nitrogen Footprint (water quality) and a Floridan Aquifer Groundwater Footprint (water quantity). Below are maps of the Blue Water Audit Floridan Aquifer Nitrogen footprint for the Rainbow Springs springshed within the Southwest Florida Water Management District, as well as a map of the land use within the Rainbow Springs springshed. To find out more about the Blue Water Audit project and to learn how this tool was developed, visit Blue Water Audit.
*The Rainbow Springs Group Springshed extends into the Southwest Florida Water Management District, as well as the St. Johns River Water Management District.
DATA AND REPORTS
FDEP – Nutrient TMDL for Rainbow Springs Group
USGS – Water Data – Rainbow River
USGS – Water Data – Rainbow Springs
SWFWMD – Springs Data Dashboard – Rainbow Springs
SWFWMD – Recommended Minimum Flow for the Rainbow River System
SWFWMD – Rainbow River SWIM Plan
FGS – First Magnitude Springs of Florida
FSI – Rainbow Springs Baseline Ecosystem Assessment
FSI – Rainbow Springs Restoration Plan
FSI – Rainbow Springs Report Card – 2009
FSI – SpringsWatch – Rainbow River
FSI – 2019 SpringsWatch Rainbow River Monitoring Summary
FSI – 2020 SpringsWatch Rainbow River Monitoring Summary
The Interactive Florida Springs Atlas was produced with generous support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The Community Foundation of North Central Florida supported this project through generous support for our Blue Water Audit project.
