Alafia River Minimum Flows and Levels - Southwest Florida Water ...
Alafia River Minimum Flows and Levels - Southwest Florida Water ...
Alafia River Minimum Flows and Levels - Southwest Florida Water ...
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2.3.4.3 Lithia Springs <strong>and</strong> Buckhorn Springs<br />
2.3.4.3.1 Site Description (taken largely from Champion <strong>and</strong> Starks 2001,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Jones <strong>and</strong> Upchurch 1993)<br />
The Lithia/Buckhorn Springs group lies in central Hillsborough County, three<br />
miles south of Br<strong>and</strong>on along the <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong> (Figure 2-1). The group is<br />
comprised of two second-magnitude springs <strong>and</strong> a number of smaller thirdmagnitude<br />
springs. "Discharge at Lithia Springs exhibits significant seasonality,<br />
reaching a minimum at the end of the dry season in May <strong>and</strong> peaking in October,<br />
after the end of the summer wet season. This pattern indicates that the lag time<br />
between seasonal changes in rainfall <strong>and</strong> the response of the spring system is<br />
minimal. The pattern also indicates that the circulation of ground water in the<br />
<strong>Florida</strong>n aquifer is open <strong>and</strong> vigorous <strong>and</strong> the springs are recharged by<br />
precipitation falling in close proximity (5-10 mile radius) of the springs"<br />
(Champion <strong>and</strong> Starks 2001).<br />
Lithia Springs is located in a county operated park, <strong>and</strong> actually consists of two<br />
springs, each of which feeds a short run before emptying into the <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong>.<br />
The larger spring is referred to as Lithia Springs Major. The park is open for<br />
swimming in the spring pool (Figure 2-25), camping, canoeing (in the river), <strong>and</strong><br />
picnicking. The vent for Lithia Springs Major lies in 10-15 feet of water,<br />
underneath an outcropping of limestone. A large steel grate covers the opening<br />
of the vent. The spring pool is somewhat oval with a diameter of 75 to 100 feet.<br />
Lithia Springs Major is the subject of an MFL determination as described in<br />
Chapters 4 <strong>and</strong> 5 of this report.<br />
2-57