La Rue Bijou - Go with the Flow. Really?

 

 

 Rainbow Springs 

In the late 18^th century, naturalist William Bartram described limpid waters rushing upward to the surface, making it “impossible to keep the boat or any other floating vessel over the fountain.” (Bartram, Chapter VII). More than a century later, many of the springs became road-side attractions that lured tourists to the state--Weeki Wachee (1947), Silver Springs and its glass-bottom boats (late 1870s) and films (1930s). Rainbow Springs (1950s) and Wakulla Springs (popularized with films in the 1950s).

 

                                                       

                                                         Fanning Springs 

Given Bartram’s description, the development of roadside attractions and the fact that Florida has more than 1,100 natural springs, it’s easy to assume we’ve always had a bountiful supply of fresh water. The Floridan Aquifer, which runs under Florida and parts of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina is the source of drinking water for more than 10 million people in the Southeast and water for 90 percent of Florida residents (Meindl). It’s described as “one of the most productive aquifers in the world.” (Springs 101).

 

                                                Turtles in background to left of kayak

But the springs face numerous threats that impact not only the flora and fauna of these unique ecosystems but the aquifer and drinking water of Floridians.

 

The presence of rising nitrate levels and the damage caused by over pumping and even human activities seem to be the main contributors to the decline in the health of these ecosystems.  But more recently, scientists have looked for other explanations.

 

Swimmer and algae (courtesy of MR Tolbert) 

Enter Matthew Cohen, Ph.D., an ecohydrologist and director of the Water Institute at the University of Florida. He describes his research focus as on “interface of ecosystems and water resources,” which has led him to examine the special challenges of a “flowing aquatic ecosystem.”

 

                Gilchrist Blue Springs, before the diving platform was removed 

Although a common assumption has been that nitrates are the cause of the decline in health and growth of algae, Cohen describes the oxygen variability as a “predictor.”  Slow-moving water from the springs yields less dissolved oxygen. A certain velocity is needed to remove algae on plant blades. Oxygen is also critical to grazers like snails in the removal of   algae.

Cohen also stresses the importance of remaining optimistic. After all, 1995 signaled the peak in water consumption in Florida. (Cohen)

“In spite of the fact that we’ve recruited millions of new Floridians, the per capita consumption rate has been dropping faster than the population growth rate. . . .But it is not to discount the water challenges in the State,” Cohen says.(Cohen)

 But important work remains with the challenges of these flowing aquatic ecosystem. Educating the public so residents become better stewards of this resource. Rethinking urban landscapes to be more “compatible with rainfall rather than with irrigation,” Cohen says. 

Remaining cognizant of recreational activities that could damage the ecosystem--diving, kayaking, trampling vegetation and littering. . . .We can preserve these sites for present and future generations. 

 

Florida artist Margaret Ross Tolbert painting Cannon Springs (courtesy of Lynn Polke)

                                                

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Works Cited

Bartram, William. The Travels of William Bartram. The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Travels of William Bartram, by William Bartram. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/63678/63678-h/63678-h.htm. Accessed 24 October 2025.

Cohen, Matthew. “An Oral History with Dr. Matthew Cohen Interviewed by Vasilios Kosmakos,” Florida Naturalists History, part of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program. 14 April 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7oC696_slE.

Meindl, Christopher. “Florida’s 1,100 Natural Springs are Under Threat—A Geographer Explains How to Restore Them.” The Invading Sea. 8 October 2025. https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2025/10/08/florida-natural-springs-groundwater-pollution-pumping-bottled-water-algae-restoration-projects/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNnJ61leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZYVM1RnJwWllBbDdsWW45AR5L2nknH4MgeuRg_NbG6mxXPd6PzJFRNm0Xo-yKV_BCDH65YKa5iLKW88Bm0g_aem_BDAqnr1i3HlEa8rPlqKnog. Accessed 23 October 2025.

 “Springs 101 – A Comprehensive Educational Resource for Understanding Florida Springs.” Howard T. Odum Springs Institute. https://floridasprings.org/springs-101/. Accessed 23 October 2025.

 

 

 

Drainage Ditch Jewels

Snowy Egret If you walk or bike, you have time to appreciate those “jewels” of drainage ditches. Just along a short segment of Eber Road in Melbourne (Fla.), herons, egrets, ducks, sandhill cranes and a wood stork flock here.

Great Blue Heron I won’t say that water birds thrive in our “created” environment. Runoff from roads and residential and commercial lawns pollute waterways with oils, grease, metals, nitrogen and phosphorus (from fertilizers) and sediment.

Lance-Leafed arrowhead with spiderwebs Communities are taking more action. An increasing number of retention ponds in Melbourne have vegetative buffers that filter many toxic products and improve water quality. Still, numerous opportunities exist. Along NASA Boulevard, high-tech corporations could work toward environmental protection by creating shoreline buffers that reduce the amount of pollutants that enter waterways. Clean waters will attract more wildlife and make the workspace sustainable.

Crane Creek

An opportunity for more sustainable practices . . . . Note: If I have inaccurately identified flora or fauna, please let me know.

Lagoon Day--A Missed Opportunity?

MELBOURNE—Nov. 20, 2012--The name itself resounds with potential! The lagoon, which extends 156 miles, is home to the bottleneck dolphin and thousands of species of flora and fauna. Considered the most diverse estuary in North America, its health is critical to the water quality and the economy of many communities. I only learned of Lagoon Day from small signs I saw when biking. Online information included a listing in a community calendar and a press release from the St. Johns River Water Management District. Were these the only ways to promote the event?

When I went Saturday at noon, the non-profit workers and booths outnumbered the public. Most text-dense documentation focused on detailed information about the geographical features (such as Canaveral National Seashore), water pollution or flora and fauna. Even the talks were pretty specialized—algal blooms and sea grass, funding agencies, stormwater impact on the lagoon. An inflatable castle, face painting, a turtle hurdle game and some coloring books targeted the younger kids. Making an oyster mat or planted mangrove seedling (propagule) might have appealed to the older kids.

Non-profits have inadequate financial resources. They need to create specialized messages that address the local audience. They need to be able to provide hands-on activities that engage young, receptive audiences. Would it have been possible to bring in a boat? Show water testing? Have a large-scale model of runoff from lawns into the water? Show the impact of chemicals on wildlife? A Lagoon Day needs to be as almost as much fun (and more educational) as a trip to see Santa at the mall or a Halloween street party. Maybe we can work together for a Lagoon Day, 2013. . . .