Safeguarding the Ichetucknee

Beyond Septic Tanks

Nitrogen-reducing septic tanks are an affordable way you can minimize the release of harmful nitrogen from your septic tank into our springs, rivers and drinking water. Learn more in Beyond Septic Tanks.

Manatees in the Ichetucknee

Here's a brief update on observations of manatees in the Ichetucknee river.

Rose Sink Retention Pond

In 1996 the Ichetucknee Springs Basin Working Group learned that stormwater from Columbia City and state road 47 flowed directly into Rose Sink and then through a cave to Ichetucknee Springs. We began an effort to have a stormwater retention pond constructed to capture the stormwater and stop stormwater pollution. Ten years and five agencies later, Rose Sink retention pond is helping to protect the people of Columbia County.

It's the Same Water

During a recent study, dye was injected into sinks in Clayhole Creek, and in two days it traveled three miles to Rose Sink. The dye was also found in the drinking water wells of the Columbia City Elementary School located between Clayhole Creek and Rose Sink. Contaminated stormwater flows out of Lake City into Clayhole Creek, then through the sinkholes to caves that reach the school wells. Read more about water pollution.

Threats to the Ichetucknee

There are many diverse threats to the water quality of the Ichetucknee. Ichetucknee Springs Basin Water Quality Contaminants and Sources lists the primary ones.

Ichetucknee's Disappearing Critters

Until quite recently, Ichetucknee had a thriving population of loggerhead turtles and according to one observer, "crayfish were so thick that you couldn't see the white bottom of the river". What happened?

Local Creeks Drain to Ichetucknee Springs

Highway signs have been installed on several state and county roads that cross Cannon, Clayhole and Rose Creeks to inform local motorists about the connection of the creeks to Ichetucknee Springs. Read More

Monitoring the Ichetucknee

In August, a team of Department of Environmental Protection water quality specialists, geologists and biologists inspected the Ichetucknee River by canoe to assess the ecological condition of the river. They observed the increase of algae and the loss of native eelgrass in three of the springs.During the 1960's spring run crayfish and loggerhead musk turtle populations were very abundant in the springs and river. In October, the Coordinator and herpetologist Dr. David Auth snorkeled the river within the state park to count the crayfish and musk turtles. Only 12 live and 13 dead crayfish, and 15 musk turtles were observed in the 3.5 miles of river.Compared to the 1960's, there have been significant reductions in the populations of other animals in the river including aquatic snails, water snakes and catfish.

Our knowledge of the diverse factors that affect the health of the Ichetucknee Springs Basin is growing rapidly. Here is a list of current research and monitoring efforts focused on the Ichetucknee Springs Basin.

So what can be done to improve the situation? Here are some Solutions for Safeguarding the Ichetucknee.