Florida State University (FSU) researchers at the school’s Coastal and Marine Laboratory and College of Communication and Information are working to restore Wakulla Springs‘ crystal-clear water back to the level of clarity that it enjoyed when glass bottom boat tours were common. The water once attracted swimmers and wildlife enthusiasts eager to see the gators and manatees in one of the world’s largest freshwater springs. The picturesque setting was featured in the flim Tarzan’s Secret Treasure.
“Wakulla Springs is a North Florida treasure that we must protect,” said State Rep. Jason Shoaf, who represents Wakulla County and the surrounding area. “I am thrilled that the researchers at FSU are addressing the issues facing the springs and finding solutions so we can continue to enjoy this natural resource.”
According to a report from FSU, the aquifer from which the spring emerges underlies and connects an expansive land area from southern Georgia to Spring Creek Springs, a cluster of submarine springs that emerge off the coast of Spring Creek, Florida. Economically, Wakulla Springs State Park alone contributes about $20 million annually in tourism spending and supports 276 jobs. The underlying cave system and aquifer provide drinking water, crop irrigation and support of downstream fisheries at a value not yet fully documented. But as the water flows to the springs, it also carries pollution from a variety of sources, including septic tanks, backyard fertilizer and agricultural runoff.
“This is a tremendous opportunity, thanks to the support of our lawmakers, to contribute new data supporting efforts to understand what has been affecting the spring and how we can recommend changes that will assist environmental managers working to keep the water clean and clear,” said Joel Trexler, director of the Coastal and Marine Laboratory.
According to FSU, Trexler has designed a “project with multiple components” to find possible remediation solutions.
FSU’s College of Communication and Information faculty, led by research faculty member Kellie Keys will create an educational video and curriculum for middle school science classes, available free of charge for teachers.
Keys plans to offer public tours of the spring’s watershed from Tallahassee to Wakulla Springs. The funding will also support undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students whose studies align with the work.
“People may not realize the springs come from the same source as our drinking water — the aquifer beneath our feet,” Keys said. “So, we hope through this process that we can educate more people on how important the springs are and why this work to clean up the water is so important.”
