Dobes Hole Spring is a little-known hydrological feature located along the Withlacoochee River in Pasco County, within the broader Green Swamp region. Unlike a typical Florida spring, Dobes Hole is best understood as a sinkhole–spring system connected to the river and underlying limestone aquifer.

Available data from regional water management and USGS sources identify Dobes Hole as a monitored spring site, though very limited field data has been collected. The feature is associated with groundwater exchange between the river and subsurface systems, making it more of a geological point of interest than a recreational destination.

What to Expect

Dobes Hole does not resemble a classic spring with clear water or a visible basin. Instead, it functions as part of a dynamic system where water may move between the surface and underground depending on conditions.

In some cases, features like this can act as points of water loss, where river water drains into the subsurface, or as groundwater discharge points under different flow conditions. Modeling of the Withlacoochee River system has noted potential groundwater loss in this area, including at Dobes Hole.

Reports from divers also describe a deep sinkhole feature beneath the river, reinforcing its classification as a karst feature rather than a traditional spring.

Access

Access is limited and unclear, and the site is not developed for public visitation. The surrounding area consists of remote river and wetland environments within the Green Swamp, with no designated access points specific to Dobes Hole.

Geological Significance

Dobes Hole is part of Florida’s karst landscape, where limestone dissolution creates sinkholes, springs, and underground drainage systems. Features like this are important for understanding how water moves through the Floridan aquifer, especially in regions where rivers and groundwater systems interact closely.

Because of this, Dobes Hole appears more frequently in hydrological studies and monitoring datasets than in recreational guides.

Nearby Springs

For a more accessible and traditional spring experience in the region, consider:

• Weeki Wachee Springs

• Homosassa Springs

• Chassahowitzka Springs

• Werner-Boyce Salt Springs Park

External Links

• Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)

• USGS / Water Quality Portal (Dobes Hole Spring monitoring site)

• Facebook post about diving there