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Water from Cypress Spring, on Holmes Creek near Vernon, is bottled by Nestlé Waters North America.
Ecological value of the springs Northwest Florida is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the U.S. This diversity can be attributed, in part, to the area’s spring ecosystems. Many of these ecosystems have existed since the end of the last ice age, which means that numerous plant and animal species in these ecosystems are entirely unique — even endemic to particular spring systems. The springs are teeming with flora and fauna. A day at the springs might result in sightings of the mottled longbract wakerobin (also known as trillium), cabbage palms, largemouth bass, pond crayfish, American alligators, river otters, dragonflies, great blue herons and even West Indian manatees. Cultural value of the springs Thousands of years ago, the Paleoindians who lived in Florida relied on fresh water and freshwater ecosystems for survival. They lived and hunted near bodies of fresh water, and evidence of the impact that springs had on their lives is visible today in the form of exciting archaeological findings, recovered from springs throughout Florida. Springs are still important to Floridians and to tourists who visit the Sunshine State. Many Northwest Florida springs are accessible to the public and present
20
WINTER/SPRING 2019
EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE
wonderful opportunities to paddle and swim in some of the most beautiful waters on earth. Economic value of the springs Northwest Florida’s springs are an important source of drinking water. The springs that feed Econfina Creek in Bay County, for example, flow into Deer Point Lake, which provides 90 percent of all drinking water in Bay County. But another
spring in Northwest Florida provides water to communities around the world via Nestlé Waters North America, which has a water-collection facility on Holmes Creek at Cypress Spring. Some Holmes County residents are opposed to the presence of the Nestlé facility, yet Cyphers says that these individuals may not be aware of Nestlé’s role in maintaining Cypress Spring’s health.
Magnitude springs are classified according to the average amount of water they discharge as measured by cubic feet per second (cfs), million gallons per day (mgd), or gallons per minute (gpm). The following table shows magnitude and the corresponding flow requirements for a particular magnitude as well as how many springs in NFWMD are of that magnitude. Note the huge range in flow for Magnitude 2 springs. MAGNITUDE
NUMBER OF NAMED SPRINGS OR SPRING GROUPS IN NFWMD
FLOW
1
≥ 100 CFS (≥ 64.6 MGD)
5 (4 FRESHWATER, 1 SUBMARINE)
2
≥ 10 TO 100CFS (≥ 6.46 TO 64.6 MGD)
29 (28 FRESHWATER, 1 SUBMARINE)
3
≥ 1 TO 10 CFS (≥ 0.646 TO 6.46 MGD)
44
4
≥ 100 GPM TO 1 CFS (≥ 100 TO 448 GPM)
26
5
≥ 10 TO 100 GPM
13
6
≥ 1 TO 10 GPM
10
7
≥ 1 PINT/MIN TO 1 GPM
/
8
≥ 1 PINT/MIN
/
UNCLASSIFIED
72
KEY: cfs = cubic feet per second; mgd = million gallons per day; gpm = gallons per minute