Wekiva River Basin Springshed 1995 Model

Geologists estimate that there are more than 700 springs in the state of Florida, representing perhaps the largest concentration of freshwater springs on earth. There are 31 known springs in the Wekiva River basin north and west of Orlando, Florida, which form the base flow for many of the rivers in the basin and create a unique and productive ecosystem.

Many of Florida's springs exhibit signals of distress, which include increasing nutrient loads, turbidity, and lowered water flows. These impacts often can be attributed to the nature and intensity of development of the land in the "springshed"—a spring recharge basin that delineates those areas within groundwater and surface water that contribute to the discharge of the spring.

GIS models are used to determine the extent of springsheds. Springshed boundaries are dynamic and change with fluctuating environmental conditions, but when we know the extent of the springshed, we can begin the process of protecting this resource. The water that discharges from springs comes from the Floridan aquifer, which also supplies Floridians with 90 percent of their drinking water. Protecting Florida's springs inherently means protecting its drinking water supply.

It is difficult to see a springshed in the landscape or take an aerial photograph of it. GIS enables us to see that which cannot be seen.