Lake and spring in Apopka Florida

[Bill Oigarden]

I grew up a few miles from Apopka. There were rumors of clear water and maybe even a cave in the lake just east of where you are talking about. Google Earth identifies this lake as McCoy, Lake (I am not sure this is what the locals call this lake). These rumors were from the old timers who lived there pre-World War II. As you can see in Google Earth this lake has limited access. This area is close to Rock, Wekiwa, Sanlando, and many other smaller springs. These springs runs travel about 18 miles to the St Johns River and then the Atlantic Ocean. There are probably 100's of spring vents in this area. Both in the lakes and all along the spring runs. My guess is the clear water that lead the old timers to believe there was a larger spring in McCoy Lake was just the fact that the lakes where not polluted and the spring vents allowed the lake to remain very clear. In the early 70's I would water ski and free dive in Lake Brantley. Back then the vis was 15'. Today the vis is only a few feet. Recently the Channeled Apple Snail was discovered in Lake Brantley (June 2004) Before June, these invasive, exotic snails were not known to be in the Central Florida area. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/central/H...e/Seminole.htm It is sad newer cave divers didn't have a chance to see many of the Florida Springs the way they where before growth impacted Florida. Water's Journey: The River Returns documents Central Florida quite well. Before Mystery Sink (about 6 miles from downtown Orlando) was closed in the early 70's my dive buddy Breck Johnson shared the vis was close to 100'. Recent permit diving to survey the sink showed the vis had deteriorated to about 10'. John Harper is also from this area and pre-dates me by more than 10 years. John would know more. Today Joe Tegg and others continue to explore every nook and cranny in Central Florida.

[SRQ]

Hey Bill, thanks for that info - I have always heard about some small springs in Lake McCoy, but never pursued them. I used to live in Bent Oaks on Lake Alma - but I can tell you after diving every square inch of that lake I never did come across any springs or boils. That lake was notorious for ever changing water levels so I doubt there were ever any springs in it.
I used to ski in Lake Brantley probably about the same time as you - so am quite familiar with what you are talking about. It used to be a really clean clear lake back in the late 70's

For some reason though this Dream Lake seems to have had a cave big enough for a diver or two which is why I am trying to research it more.
I'm sure after some research something will surface.
Thanks to all offering info.

WB

[Bill Oigarden]

You are very welcome and it sure is a small world. I enjoy sharing and this is a great way to get all this kind of information documented for the ages.

[oldguy]

Bill O,
Is Water's Journey: The River Returns a video, book, TV special? Just interested. Thanks.

[Bill Oigarden]

It is a series of PBS videos created by Wes, Jill, Tom and the gang.
http://www.watersjourney.com/

[curtschu]

Well I stopped at the lake today it was still and quiet not a puff of wind. There is no spring slick visible anywhere.

[SRQ]

Thanks for taking a look Curt.
I know there was one there, but that was years and years ago. Apparently the flow has stopped or the cave has crumbled in.

WB