A
total of 11 springs or spring groups, comprised of more than 36 vents, were
identified in the Econfina Creek basin. These springs were concentrated in
the area 0.75 miles north of Walsingham Bridge to 0.5 miles south of Highway
20 (Figure 7). Some
areas that were historically listed as “potential” springs (Follman,
www.tfn.net/springs)
were investigated and found to be simply turbulent upwelling of surface water
caused by the creek channel geometry. Some springs, such as Deep Spring in
Bay County were determined to be Surficial Aquifer discharge points instead
of Floridan Aquifer springs and were not included in the inventory.
Springs
in the Econfina Creek Basin include those with typical fissure-type vents
and those that incorporate areas of diffuse upward percolation of ground water
into pools and runs as well as those that discharge laterally at or near the
surface level of the creek. The latter springs are termed seep springs (Copeland
2003). In addition to the springs, there are numerous areas of ground water
discharge in the channel of Econfina Creek. Some of the areas can be detected
by a dilution of the tannic surface water near areas of limestone outcrops
but others contribute water imperceptibly.
