Ground
Water Flow Patterns in the Econfina Creek Springshed, Washington and
Bay Counties, Florida
Econfina
Creek flows from its headwaters in southwest Jackson County to Bay
County; ultimately discharging to Deer Point Lake, the primary water
supply for Bay County. Along the middle portion of Econfina Creek
in Washington and Bay counties, thirty-nine known Floridan Aquifer springs
exist. During base flow conditions, ground water discharging from
these
springs is the main component of creek discharge. Because of Econfina
Creek’s important contribution to Deer Point Lake, information
contributing to the knowledge of the source of water issued by these
springs is crucial. A fluorescent dye tracer study was completed
as an initial attempt to demonstrate the existence of individual
springsheds
within the Floridan Aquifer zone of contribution to Econfina Creek.
Two traces were completed during the course of the study. Knowledge
gained of existing ground water flow connections and flow patterns
has allowed a preliminary understanding of individual springsheds
that exist in the basin.
