Springs in Large System Not Flowing
This was in the Lakeland Ledger yesterday. Anyone have any first hand knowledge/comments. /Ken
Published Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Springs in Large System Not Flowing
Researchers don't know why water is no longer feeding into Spring Creek.
The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE -- One of the largest spring systems in the state has stopped flowing into Spring Creek along the Panhandle Gulf Coast, and researchers are not sure why.
Normally, several springs feed water from underground into the creek, but researchers and area residents say the flow has stopped in recent months.
One theory that has been put forward is that a Sept. 10 earthquake in the Gulf of Mexico somehow collapsed caves through which water flows from the underground aquifer into the creek.
But some local residents say the flow stopped more than six months ago, long before the earthquake.
Harley Means of the Florida Geological Survey said researchers collecting water samples in June reported that one of the springs seemed to be sucking water out of the creek instead of feeding water into it. The springs are known to sometimes reverse flow at high tide.
The Geological Survey's Rodney DeHan said mining or drilling for construction could have caused a tunnel collapse, blocking water flow, but said that's unlikely because the underground system is thought to have a number of caves through which water can flow.
The state plans to begin a study on the springs that feed the creek, which could start early next year.
Information from the Tallahassee Democrat was used in this report.
