Blue Spring (Marion County)

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Summary

Blue Spring No. 1 is a third-magnitude freshwater spring located in northeastern Marion County along the south bank of the Ocklawaha River. The spring was inundated following completion of the Rodman Dam in 1968 and now lies beneath the waters of Rodman Reservoir. Once one of approximately twenty springs in this stretch of river, it is considered one of the largest springs submerged by the reservoir.

Location and Setting

Blue Spring No. 1 is located at approximately 29.5142° N, 81.8570° W within the Rodman Reservoir in the Ocklawaha River basin. Prior to inundation, the spring discharged northward through a spring run known as Indian Creek into the Ocklawaha River.

Today, the spring boil remains faintly visible at times on the surface of the reservoir, particularly during periods of drawdown. The surrounding shoreline remains largely undeveloped and is influenced by the broader hydrology of the reservoir and adjacent floodplain forests.

Spring Classification and Flow

Blue Spring No. 1 is classified as a third-magnitude spring, with a mean historical discharge of approximately 7.8 cubic feet per second (cfs). Recorded discharge measurements include 10.6 cfs in October 1935 and 5.0 cfs in May 1999.

Although the spring continues to discharge groundwater into the system, its flow is now mixed with reservoir waters rather than emerging into a distinct spring pool and run as it did prior to 1968.

Water Clarity and Conditions

Due to its location within the reservoir, Blue Spring No. 1 is typically turbid and rarely exhibits the clear conditions commonly associated with free-flowing Florida springs. Studies conducted along the Ocklawaha River have documented reduced water clarity at this site compared to upstream spring systems, with Secchi depth readings reflecting the influence of suspended sediments and tannic river waters.

Submerged vegetation and remnants of cypress trunks are present in the surrounding area, reflecting both historical floodplain conditions and ecological changes following dam construction.

Historical Context

Construction of the Rodman Dam, part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal project, was completed in 1968. The impoundment created Rodman Reservoir and inundated approximately twenty springs along this stretch of the Ocklawaha River, including Blue Spring No. 1.

In 1971, the Cross Florida Barge Canal project was halted due to environmental concerns. Since then, the future of the reservoir and the possibility of restoring the Ocklawaha River’s natural flow have been the subject of ongoing study and policy discussion.

Blue Spring No. 1 is frequently referenced in scientific and management reports concerning the ecological impacts of impoundment, spring habitat changes, and manatee accessibility within altered river systems.

Access and Recreation

Blue Spring No. 1 is not a developed recreational spring. There are no designated swimming facilities, and the spring exists beneath the waters of Rodman Reservoir. The area may be accessed indirectly by boat within the reservoir, but the spring itself does not function as a traditional spring pool.

Other Florida Blue Springs

There are a number of “Blue Springs” in Florida this could get confused with, including:

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