The Boiling Flow of Weaver and Boiling Creeks

The Boiling Flow of Weaver and Boiling Creeks

 

 

 

When you think of clear, cool and crisp waters of Florida Springs your mind may wander to the springs of Central and North Fl such as Ginnie Springs or Blue Springs of Gilchrist county. However nestled in a paradise unto itself many miles away in Northwest Florida lies a different kind of cool and crisp. Among the pine barrens and coastal plains of Eglin Air Force Base Reservation lies several beautiful springs and waterways fed by billowing sand boils and seeps pumping cool water from the aquifer to the light above. Among these water ways are two that are very dear to my heart and will to explore the water world. Boiling Creek and Weaver Creek.
 

 

Weaver Creek and Boiling Creek's waters are born into the light by two similar sources. In Northwest Fl the aquifer is what you would label as a sand and gravel aquifer. The water source comes from seep areas and can be found upon the willingness to push through some heavy forest as the seep areas are typically lined with heavy forest growth due to healthy nutrients billowing from the earth. The fact the waters come from seep, or sand boils, often give the waters a tannin or amber hue. Although it is not aqua marine as its far off cousins, the water is still crystal clear and they stay a crisp 68 degrees all year long. Found within the vast land tracks of Eglin Air Force Base, one must obtain a recreational permit to gaze upon these amber strands of gold. Eglin AFB covers 90 square miles making it one of the largest military installations in the world. With that being said, the AFB employ and utilize many agencies to keep these recreational areas clean and clear of  trash, poachers and riff raff. Making these water ways some of the most protected in the entire state.

Although protected, they too share the potential fate as many of our other springs and sacred water ways throughout the state. Three years ago the region sustained heavy rains and suffered extensive flooding. Since this natural occurrence, Boiling Creek has not been able to bounce back to the clear waters it has always been known for. Flooding raised the creek's water level making the flow seep into the lower lying wetlands and swamps. The water rise allowed the darker swamp water to mix within the clearer waters, creating a darker color as well as silt and debris flowing through the new water level into the creek basin. Boiling Creek is still clear but not as clear as it once was. Time will tell whether or not Boiling Creek can cleanse itself and regain its sunny disposition all of us locals that know of it have come to love and appreciate.

Weaver Creek can be found approximately four miles to the west of Boiling Creek and is much clearer yet not as wide as the latter. It is faced with a different kind of threat, a man made one. The Weaver Seep is located in a sink hole about one mile from Highway 87 north of a small coastal town named Navarre. The DOT (department of transportation) is working on widening Hwy 87 from a two lane highway to a four lane highway, as it is the only hurricane evacuation route from Navarre. With doing so the DOT will bring the highway closer to the seep area. The very source of Weaver Creek's clear waters could be tainted with potential run off from the newly installed asphalt. When widening the highway system they will have to excavate and remove portions of forest, creating more of a potential threat. As in Boiling creeks fate time will tell whether or not Weaver will be effected or bounce back from this tragedy.

 

We must bear in mind that with out the voice and actions against the actions of others causing harm to these beautiful waters of gold and blue, they will disappear and in time just be a distant memory. We must keep and protect these flowing waters protected and teach younger generations to do the same. Without water there is no blue, no green, no life. Thank you. JMF

 

 

 

 



The Sacred Cypress Springs

The Sacred Gem of Cypress Springs

As you make your way into the town limits of Vernon Fl you will not see anything extraordinary. You may even think to yourself how quaint, how typical like most of the small one light towns strewn throughout the country side of Northwest Fl. Little will know what lies nestled through the forest, swamps and misty bends of  Holmes Creek, through the surrounding cypress knobs and ancient trees you will find a blue gem. Shining, glowing in the sun light. A blue hole of sacred power called Cypress Springs.

Sacred because of the feeling of awe, mystery and magic you feel gazing upon it's waters. The ancient Indians deemed this blue spring a holy place, and taught of it's healing waters. Spanish explorers were also taken back by this pot of blue gold, some within groups felt that this may be the fountain of youth they had been searching for. To this very day Indian artifacts such as shards of pottery, and arrow heads as sharp as the day they were carved can be found lying on the bottom of this beautiful place.

 

As you steer the bow of your canoe towards the crisp blue waters of Cypress Springs run and leave the tannin waters of Holmes Creek behind you get a sense of excitement and confidence in knowing that today is going to be a great day. With every paddle stroke you get closer and further into the cooler crystal gin clear waters billowing from the 2nd magnitude spring. It is estimated that Cypress Springs incredibly produces up to 79 million gallons of fresh water a day from approximately 26 feet below the surface from a vent flow. The vent itself has been explored down to 75 feet. The combination of beauty and depth mixed with size and awe makes it a wonderful place for anyone, and everyone wanting to experience the very finest of what Fl springs can offer. Whether you are just exploring with the family, or free diving with you friends Cypress Springs has a bit of magic for everyone. 

 

 

 

As all beautiful things in this world may come and go Cypress Springs shares the fate with all other aquatic gems of its kind. It is posed with the constant threat of being destroyed by man, and our ability to create pollution, and other damaging effects. From toxic run off, to heavy boat traffic in the summer months it is a delicate ecosystem that deserves our help. Only truly accessible by water many visitors flock to the cool waters in the warmer months. In doing so they bring large pontoon, and motor boats laden with people, coolers, and trash. The boat traffic alone causes damage along the fragile shores, and bottom of Cypress's shallow run. On average the run is only 2 to 3 ft deep, boat props can and often leave scars along the bottom substrate. Boat wake sends damaging vibrations into the fragile shore. In the past few years I have seen a decline in vegetation, as I believe the human element is to blame. The more people realize that we can help this place, and others like it the better chance the area has of being preserved for many generations to come.

 

Thank you for you interest in this beautiful place, as it is one of my favorite places on Earth. Remember we are all stewards of this planet we call home and it is up to us to be the voice of these beautiful natural wonders. `JMF