Peacock Spring is a lesser-known spring located directly within the Chipola River corridor in Calhoun County, Florida. Unlike the much more famous Peacock Springs cave system in Suwannee County, this Peacock Spring is a smaller river spring associated with the Chipola River basin and nearby cave passages sometimes referred to as Maddachalk Spring or Maddachalk Cave.

According to regional spring inventories, Peacock Spring is located in the bottom of the Chipola River and may produce a visible surface boil during normal or lower river stages. The vent reportedly opens beneath a limestone ledge on the west side of the river approximately 0.2 miles north of the Highway 274 bridge. During periods of high water, the surface boil may disappear entirely beneath the river.

More recent cave diving documentation identifies the system under the name Maddachalk Spring, describing it as a second-magnitude spring cave connected directly to the Chipola River with no separate spring run. The system is known for relatively stable visibility, sustained internal flow, fragile limestone formations, and unusually large catfish often encountered deep inside the cave passages.

The cave itself reportedly contains one primary passage with several side passages and extends roughly 1,800 feet from the entrance before narrowing into a small terminal crack. Divers note that although the system is not exceptionally deep, the persistent flow and delicate cave structure require careful buoyancy control and proper cave diving techniques. A significant ceiling collapse also occurred within the system in 2022, highlighting the dynamic nature of Florida’s underwater karst systems.

Access & Conditions

Peacock Spring / Maddachalk Spring appears to be primarily river-accessible and is generally discussed within the context of paddling or cave diving along the Chipola River. Visibility and surface appearance may vary significantly depending on river stage.

Because this is an active underwater cave system with overhead environments and flow, any diving activity should only be attempted by properly trained cave divers.

Notes

Older county records reference “Peacock Spring Road” and disputes involving Willis Bridge along the Chipola River, suggesting the spring has been locally known for decades. The spring also demonstrates how many Chipola River springs differ from the classic open swimming springs of Central Florida — several emerge directly through submerged limestone vents within the river itself rather than through large surface pools.

The Chipola River basin remains one of the most cave-rich and hydrologically complex spring regions in the Florida Panhandle.

More Resources

• Nice article with info on the springs in Calhoun County, including Peacock
• USGS Monitoring Site
• Pics of Maddachalk Cave
• Great article on cave diving the spring