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Sally Ward Spring
In short
Sally Ward spring has far smaller discharge, if compared with the nearby Wakulla Spring. The most interesting feature of Sally Ward spring is the magnificent underwater cave system below it. The length of explored passages is 529 m.
39.8%
GPS coordinates
Location, address
Alternate names
Type
Average discharge
Cave length
Cave depth
Map of the site
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In detail
Average discharge of this spring is approximately 125 l/s (spring of the 3rd magnitude), but often the spring becomes more active and discharges 350 l/s and more. Spring bed is covered with dense foliage of aquatic plants. Alligators are seen often in this spring.
Numero Uno
Among the divers this spring often is named – Numero Uno, as it is one of the best dive sites in this region.
Diving in the spring is allowed only to research teams. It is very hard to get inside the underwater cave in Sally Ward Spring, but after the squeeze, the amazed diver enters the Cube Room – some 25 m wide and 30 m high hall.
The cave tunnel goes both downstream and upstream. Downstream after the Cube Room follows other giant rooms. The upstream tunnel is more narrow although less tight than the entrance.
The explored passages of the Wakulla – Leon Sinks cave system are bypassing Sally Ward Spring in a few hundred metres distance. Both cave systems are connected hydrologically.
References
- Sally Ward by Floridacaves.com. Acessed on July 18, 2011.
- Kris Barrios. St. Marks River and Wakulla River Springs Inventory. Water Resources Special Report 06-03. July 2006.
Linked articles
Springs
Powerful natural freshwater springs belong to the most fascinating monuments of nature. Even more exciting is the diversity of unusual springs – mineral springs, hot springs, submarine springs as well as the unusual black smokers. Especially beautiful are such natural rarities as travertine, silica, or salt terraces created by warm and hot springs and, especially, geysers.
Caves
Every year there are reported exciting discoveries of new caves and discoveries of new qualities such as cave paintings in the ones known before. But there still is a feeling that our knowledge covers just a small part of all these monuments of nature.
Though, those which are known to us, offer a surprising diversity of unusual features and impressive sights.
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Florida is the tropical paradise of the mainland United States. Over the last century, it has experienced fabulous changes, turning from a forgotten, swampy badland into a densely populated and rich land. Highlights of Florida include the architecture of the late 19th and 20th centuries as well as its giant springs and caves.
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Florida Natural Wonders: 101 Slices Of Heaven That You Can’t Miss When Visiting Florida
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If you want a guide that will help you find the most beautiful spots in this gorgeous state, then keep reading because this is the book you were looking for!
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Silly question: Who is the Sally Ford Spring named after? I have been looking everywhere for an answer to this question and I have found zero info.