Homosassa Springs Wildlife
State Park is one of the best places in the state of Florida to view
manatees. The water boiling out of the 40-foot basin arrives here from
the Homosassa spring shed that covers 270 square miles across Citrus
and Hernando counties. The above-ground activities by people in the
spring shed directly impact, either positively or negatively, the quality
and quantity of water exiting the springs. These springs form the head
of the Homosassa River, which calmly flows west for 8 miles before reaching
the Gulf of Mexico.
One of the unique features of the Homosassa headspring is that the
main vent flows from three points underground with each vent having
different salt content and water quality. The three sources blend together
in the basin before exiting down the spring run and into the Homosassa
River. Given this, the Homosassa Spring is filled with a variety of
saltwater and freshwater fish species, but is perhaps best known for
its historic value as a warm water haven for wintering West Indian manatee. |
Ellie
Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park