The Ichetucknee Springs

The Ichetucknee River is fed by nine named springs located along the upper 2.5-miles of the river. Some of the flow of the Ichetucknee Springs group may originate from Alligator Creek and Rose Creek that disappear into sinkholes north of the springs.

The upper and most northerly spring forms the head of the river and is known as Ichetucknee Spring or Head Spring. Flow from this spring is southward, forming the Ichetucknee River proper. The river averages 20 ft wide and about 2.5 ft deep and flows 1,800 ft SE to its confluence with another southward flowing spring run that conveys the combined flow of Cedar Head Spring and Blue Hole Spring.

Flow from Ichetucknee Spring is southward, forming the Ichetucknee River. The river averages 20 ft wide and about 2.5 ft deep and flows 1,800 ft SE to its confluence with another southward flowing spring run that conveys the combined flow of Cedar Head Spring and Blue Hole Spring. The river then flows about 1.5 mi. south, then 4 mi. south-west and discharges into the Santa Fe River.

Ichetucknee Spring is in the SE¼NE¼NE¼ sec. 12, T. 6 S, R. 15 E (lat. 29°59'02" N, long. 82°45'43" W) in Suwanee County. Heavy forest growth bounds the pool on the north, northeast, and southeast; reeds grow along the east perimeter and the banks of the run. Flow from the spring is southward, forming the Ichetucknee River.

Discharge measurements (ft³/s) were taken at the bridge on U.S. Hwy 27, 3 mi. downstream from head of the springs. The measuring site is in the NW¼ sec. 23, T. 6 S, R. 15 E (lat. 29°57'09" N, long. 82°47'10" W) values for the spring are approximate in that they are a distribution of the aggregate 126 ft³/s discharge of the three main springs.

From 1917 through September 1975, there have been 381 measurements of the Ichetucknee Springs. Average discharge has been 360 ft³/s; measured maximum discharge was 578 ft³/s (April 29, 1948) and minimum was 241 ft³/s (January 28, 1956).

The remaining eight named springs of the group are, in downstream order, Cedar Head Spring, Blue Hole Spring, Roaring Springs, Singing Springs, Boiling Spring, Grassy Hole Springs, Mill Pond Spring, and Coffee Spring.