Greer Spring
Encyclopedia
Greer Spring is a first magnitude spring
located in the southeast portion of the Ozark Plateau, in Oregon County
in far south-central Missouri
within the boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest
. The spring is the second largest spring in the Ozarks, with an average discharge of 360 cubic feet (10.2 m³) of water per second, Big Spring in neighboring Carter County
is the largest spring in the Ozarks region.
. The newly formed surface stream then races down a small, steep, hardwood
blanketed gorge dropping 45 feet (13.7 m) through constant rapids for 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to its confluence with the Eleven Point River. Greer Spring nearly doubles the flow of the river, ensuring ample water for recreational activities such as canoeing even in the dry summer months. The vast amounts of spring water convert the Eleven Point River into a cold water stream for several miles downstream. The spring's cold water also creates ideal conditions for trout
. The mouth of the spring branch is less than 500 feet (152.4 m) upstream (west) of the Missouri Route 19 bridge over the Eleven Point River
. Greer Spring may be the most secluded and undisturbed big spring in the Ozarks. The spring has been owned by the U.S. National Forest Service since 1993. Before 1993 the spring was in the caring hands of private ownership. The area surrounding the spring lacks any fish hatcheries or even roads, the site has remained very scenic and unspoiled despite past mill operations on the site.
and 7 miles (11.3 km) north of Alton
on Missouri Highway 19 about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of the Highway 19 bridge that crosses the Eleven Point River and just north of the tiny town of Greer. A gravel parking area on the west side of Highway 19 provides parking for the trail. Visitors to the spring are common despite a mile long hike. An exceeding number of rules a regulations have been placed on the area. A few noteworthy regulations that should be considered before packing for a visit include; no floating, no swimming, no wading, no disposable items, no pets without leashes. For a full list of the rules visit the; Mark Twain National Forest, Greer Spring and Trail, link below. The nearby Eleven Point River is equally pristine and undisturbed and offers, floating, swimming, wading, and crystal clear water.
was built by Captain Samuel Greer in 1859. The spring was subsequently named after the Confederate
captain. The mill was later destroyed during the American Civil War
however the mill was rebuilt. In 1883 the old mill was removed to make way for a new roller mill
completed in 1899. The mill changed ownership until 1922 when it ceased operation. Very little remains of mill operations exist today near the spring. The mill itself is still standing near the top of east side of the gorge. Difficult access, private ownership, and a remote location have all aided in protecting this karst
treasure.
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
located in the southeast portion of the Ozark Plateau, in Oregon County
Oregon County, Missouri
Oregon County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 10,344. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 10,264. Its county seat is Alton...
in far south-central Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
within the boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the southern half of Missouri. MTNF was established on September 11, 1939. It is named for author Mark Twain, a Missouri native. The MTNF covers approximately 1.5 million acres , 78,000 acres of which are Wilderness, and National...
. The spring is the second largest spring in the Ozarks, with an average discharge of 360 cubic feet (10.2 m³) of water per second, Big Spring in neighboring Carter County
Carter County, Missouri
Carter County is a county located in the central western portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. The county was officially organized on March 10, 1859, and is named after Zimri A. Carter, a pioneer settler who came to Missouri from South Carolina in 1812. ...
is the largest spring in the Ozarks region.
The Spring Outlet
The spring consists of two exit points when it reaches the surface. The upper spring outlet exits from a small cave on the east side of the miniature gorge. The water from the upper outlet is only a fraction of Greer Spring's large flow. About 100 feet (30.5 m) downstream (north) the main outlet boils forcefully to the surface in a confusion of deep, aqua blue water, moss covered rocks and frothy whitewaterWhitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
. The newly formed surface stream then races down a small, steep, hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
blanketed gorge dropping 45 feet (13.7 m) through constant rapids for 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to its confluence with the Eleven Point River. Greer Spring nearly doubles the flow of the river, ensuring ample water for recreational activities such as canoeing even in the dry summer months. The vast amounts of spring water convert the Eleven Point River into a cold water stream for several miles downstream. The spring's cold water also creates ideal conditions for trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
. The mouth of the spring branch is less than 500 feet (152.4 m) upstream (west) of the Missouri Route 19 bridge over the Eleven Point River
Eleven Point River
The Eleven Point River is a river in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, United States. It originates near Willow Springs, Missouri. It more than doubles in flow when Greer Spring Branch runs into it, adding over of water per day to the river. The name derives from the Mississippi Valley...
. Greer Spring may be the most secluded and undisturbed big spring in the Ozarks. The spring has been owned by the U.S. National Forest Service since 1993. Before 1993 the spring was in the caring hands of private ownership. The area surrounding the spring lacks any fish hatcheries or even roads, the site has remained very scenic and unspoiled despite past mill operations on the site.
Access
The United States National Forest Service maintains a trail to the spring. The trail head is located 18 miles (29 km) south of WinonaWinona, Missouri
Winona is a city in Shannon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,290 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Winona is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and 7 miles (11.3 km) north of Alton
Alton, Missouri
Alton is the county seat of Oregon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 668 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Alton is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
on Missouri Highway 19 about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of the Highway 19 bridge that crosses the Eleven Point River and just north of the tiny town of Greer. A gravel parking area on the west side of Highway 19 provides parking for the trail. Visitors to the spring are common despite a mile long hike. An exceeding number of rules a regulations have been placed on the area. A few noteworthy regulations that should be considered before packing for a visit include; no floating, no swimming, no wading, no disposable items, no pets without leashes. For a full list of the rules visit the; Mark Twain National Forest, Greer Spring and Trail, link below. The nearby Eleven Point River is equally pristine and undisturbed and offers, floating, swimming, wading, and crystal clear water.
History
The first gristmillGristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
was built by Captain Samuel Greer in 1859. The spring was subsequently named after the Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
captain. The mill was later destroyed during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
however the mill was rebuilt. In 1883 the old mill was removed to make way for a new roller mill
Roller mill
Roller mills use cylindrical rollers to grind all sorts of materials rather than crushing them or grinding them between stones such as in a traditional grains mill. Roller mills are usually used for industrial grain milling and for grinding gravel into smaller rocks or pulverizing them...
completed in 1899. The mill changed ownership until 1922 when it ceased operation. Very little remains of mill operations exist today near the spring. The mill itself is still standing near the top of east side of the gorge. Difficult access, private ownership, and a remote location have all aided in protecting this karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
treasure.
See also
- List of Missouri rivers
- List of Arkansas rivers
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers
- List of Ozark springs
- Mark Twain National ForestMark Twain National ForestMark Twain National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the southern half of Missouri. MTNF was established on September 11, 1939. It is named for author Mark Twain, a Missouri native. The MTNF covers approximately 1.5 million acres , 78,000 acres of which are Wilderness, and National...
- List of largest springs
- karst springKarst springA karst spring is a spring that is part of a karst system. That includes the underground drainage of a much larger area, which means that karst springs often have a very large discharge...