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4th Annlual Hydrogeology Consortium Workshop

FGS Intro and 

Disclaimer

Workshop 

Introduction

Scientific 

Overview

Panel 

Discussions

Workshop 

Photos

Peer Review 

Report Field Map 

Workshop Introduction

Problem Statement

Wakulla Spring is the third largest spring in Florida and 

one of the best known. The spring is the centerpiece of 

Wakulla Springs State Park, considered the crown jewel of 

the Florida parks. It discharges an average of 250 million 

gallons of water per day from the Floridan aquifer to form 

the Wakulla River. It has the largest range of discharge of 

any spring in Florida, ~80 million gallons per day at low 

stage and > 1 billion gallons per day at high stage. The 

sheer size of the spring basin is uniquely impressive being 

several hundred feet across and more than 100 feet deep. 

The spring pool contains the entrance to one of the longest

and deepest underwater caves in the world having more 

than 10 miles of mapped passages that extend both north 

and south from the spring.

Glass-bottom boat over Wakulla Spring

glass-bottom boat over Wakulla Springs

The park features glass bottom boat tours that enthrall visitors when the water is clear with views of the 

spring and cave entrance. Wakulla Spring is also a national cultural treasure being the site of Indian 

artifacts, and the setting for classic movies such as the original Tarzan series and the Creature from the 

Black Lagoon.

 Unfortunately, water quality in Wakulla Spring has been in decline for more than a decade due to rising 

nitrate levels, algae blooms and a growth explosion of Hydrilla that chokes the spring and causes the loss of 

native species, including the apple snail and limpkin. The decline in water clarity has kept the glass bottom 

boats at the docks and tourists and cave explorers waiting for clear water that seldom comes. Park

attendance has dropped in recent years by approximately 20,000 visitors per year.

Purpose

The purpose of this workshop was to present an overview 

of the broad and growing scientific evidence linking water

quality decline at Wakulla Spring with land use practices in 

the region. The workshop convened scientific and 

engineering experts to present the current understanding of 

groundwater and surface water flow patterns through the 

Woodville Karst Plain, the sources of pollution to Wakulla 

Springs, and explore the applicability and effectiveness of 

advanced technologies as solutions to the problem of 

degrading spring water quality and clarity. The primary 

goal of this workshop was to disseminate this knowledge to 

local decision makers and encourage cooperative proactive 

governmental investment in water resource protection 

programs in the Woodville Karst Plain basin.

Nitrate levels measured in the Wakulla Spring 

basin between 1971 and 2004

a graph showing nitrate levels measured in the 

Wakulla Spring Basin between 1971 and 2004

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General Workshop Format

The workshop convened as a plenary session on Thursday

morning, May 12. Scientists currently engaged in research 

projects within the Woodville Karst Plain gave 

presentations on groundwater and surface water flow 

patterns and sources of pollution in the Woodville Karst 

Plain. Afterward, the group broke out into three discussion 

sessions focused on the science and technologies specific

to abating three important sources of nutrient loading in the 

basin: stormwater, septic systems, and wastewater 

treatment facilities. The discussion sessions each contained 

four or five panelists who gave short presentations on the 

problems from their perspective and a moderator who 

guided subsequent discussions. The goal for each session 

was to build a consensus of opinion and recommendations 

for the best course of action to solve the problems. On 

Friday morning, May 13, the plenary session reconvened 

and the moderators presented the conclusions and 

recommendations derived in each session. The workshop 

then concluded with lunch and a summary by the emcee.

Members of the Woodville Karst Plain Project presented a 

video luncheon presentation, Exploring Wakulla Cave, on 

Thursday, May 12. A half-day field trip was offered on 

Wednesday, May 11, to provide an overview of the 

hydrogeologic setting and sources of pollutions.

Useful Links

 1000 Friends of Florida

 City of Tallahassee Public Works

 Department of Health

 FGS/FSU Woodville Karst Plain Research

 FGS - Hydrogeology Research 

 Florida Department of Community Affairs - Springs

Protection 

 Florida Springs 

 Hydrogeology Consortium

 Leon County Capital Area Flood Warning Network

 Northwest Florida Water Management District 

 Wakulla County, Florida

 Wakulla Springs State Park

Algae and hydrilla covering the Wakulla

Spring basin near the platform

Measured reduction of water clarity in the 

Wakulla Spring basin based on the number of 

days the glass bottom boats cannot run

Algae and hydrilla covering the Wakulla Spring basin 

near the platform

Measured reduction of water clarity in the Wakulla 

Spring basin based on the number of days the glass 

bottom boats connot run

logos of all the sponsors of the workshop

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