Rainbow Springs, Florida
Encyclopedia
Rainbow Springs, formerly known as Blue Spring, is a first-magnitude artesian spring formation in Marion County, Florida
, USA, several miles north of the city of Dunnellon, Florida
. Rainbow Springs is the focal point of Rainbow Springs State Park
. The spring formation is the fourth-largest in Florida
, and produces over 490 million gallons of water daily. Rainbow Springs forms the headwaters of the Rainbow River
, which empties into the Withlacoochee River
.
It was known as Blue Spring until the 1930s, when the site was developed as a tourist attraction and the promoter sought a more distinctive name (there are several other springs in Florida named "Wekiwa" and "Blue"). To compete with the "glass bottom boats" of nearby Silver Springs, Florida
, submarine tours were given of the springs. As for some other Florida springs, such as Weeki Wachee Springs
, "mermaid shows" were an attraction in the 1950s. The tourist attraction was forced to close in the 1970s.
The entire Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. The land around the headwaters of the springs remained privately owned until 1990, when the State of Florida acquired the springs and saved them from development. Much of the work to open Rainbow Springs State Park
was done by volunteers from the community.
Marion County, Florida
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat is Ocala....
, USA, several miles north of the city of Dunnellon, Florida
Dunnellon, Florida
Dunnellon is a city in Marion County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,898 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,951...
. Rainbow Springs is the focal point of Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on U.S. 41, three miles north of Dunnellon, Florida. It comprises upland and submerged. The most significant natural feature is the first magnitude headspring basin which produces up to of fresh water per day, forming The Rainbow River...
. The spring formation is the fourth-largest in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and produces over 490 million gallons of water daily. Rainbow Springs forms the headwaters of the Rainbow River
Rainbow River
The Rainbow River is located in Dunnellon, Florida, USA, in the southwest corner of Marion County, about southwest of Ocala, northwest of Orlando and north of the Tampa Bay area. It is formed by a first-magnitude spring that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge...
, which empties into the Withlacoochee River
Withlacoochee River (South)
The Withlacoochee River originates in central Florida's Green Swamp, east of Polk City. It flows west, then north, and then turns northwest and finally west again before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico near Yankeetown. The river is long and has a drainage basin of...
.
History
Rainbow Springs was known as Wekiwa Creek by the Seminole Indians.Silver Springs, Florida
Silver Springs is a U.S. populated place and spring in Marion County, Florida, just to the east of the city of Ocala. It is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, submarine tours were given of the springs. As for some other Florida springs, such as Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs is a natural tourist attraction located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where underwater performances by "mermaids", women dressed with fins about their legs as well as other fancy outfits, can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting in the spring of the Weeki Wachee River...
, "mermaid shows" were an attraction in the 1950s. The tourist attraction was forced to close in the 1970s.
The entire Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. The land around the headwaters of the springs remained privately owned until 1990, when the State of Florida acquired the springs and saved them from development. Much of the work to open Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on U.S. 41, three miles north of Dunnellon, Florida. It comprises upland and submerged. The most significant natural feature is the first magnitude headspring basin which produces up to of fresh water per day, forming The Rainbow River...
was done by volunteers from the community.
External links
- Everything you need to know about The Rainbow River, Dunnellon Florida
- Rainbow Springs State Park
- Withlacoochee River Watershed and Rainbow Springs - Florida DEP
- 1950s Recording of a Rainbow Springs boat driver (from the Florida Folklife Collection CD, available for public use from the Florida State Archives)