Alafia River Minimum Flows and Levels - Southwest Florida Water ...

Figure 2-25. Lithia Springs Major bathing area being utilized for recreation.
Buckhorn Springs complex is located on private property, about four miles west
of Lithia Springs. The complex is composed of four principal springs and many
smaller, less significant vents located near Buckhorn Creek. Buckhorn Springs
Main is by the far the largest of the four springs and is the subject of an MFL
determination. Its average discharge was reported by Jones and Upchurch
(1993) to be 14 cfs with the three smaller springs discharging an estimated 3.6
cfs total. The springs are on private property (Cargill, Inc.). The District has
issued a water use permit to Cargill, Inc. for use of a portion of the spring
discharge as an industrial water supply. A pumping platform has been
constructed directly over the Buckhorn Springs Main (Figure 2-26), and water is
pumped from the spring to a phosphate processing facility located on US 41.
The spring pool empties directly into Buckhorn Creek which discharges into the
Alafia River approximately 0.4 miles downstream.
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