| Summary of Features
Scale—2nd magnitude
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Directions
From the intersection of U.S. 19 and U.S. 50 at Weeki Wachee, go 3.6
miles west on U.S. 50. The spring is 100 feet south of U.S. 50 on private
propery.
Alternatively, the spring may be reached by boat. From the intersection
of U.S. 19 and U.S. 50 at Weeki Wachee, go 3 miles west on U.S. 50. Proceed
south on C.R. 595 to boat launch where the highway crosses the Weeki Wachee
River. Put in boat and go downstream (west) about 3/4 mile to where Mud
River Run enters the river. Paddle up Mud River Run about 2 miles , then
go to right (east) off the main channel to the spring.
For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address: http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida
Spring Description
The spring forms a very attractive oval pool in dense floodplain and
sub-tropical forest. Water boils up strong from beneath a large limestone
ledge on the east side of the pool, and a second vent is visible on the
south side of the pool that forms a smaller boil. Water in the pool is
clear and bluish, and pool is approximately 75 by 50 feet wide. Hardwoods
and other vegetation canopy much of the pool, and there appears to be a
small run-off feeder into the pool on the north side. According to Champion
& Starks, "The spring pool drains through a spring run that flows to
the southeast, then southwest, eventually reaching Mud River. The spring
is tidally influenced" (May 2001, p. 97).
For an aeral view of this spring and others in this region, see the following web site which focuses on finding lost money and other valuables in spring and other dive sites: http://www.treasuresites.com/members/wcf.htm
Use/Access
The spring is on private property. However, there is evidence that it
is used by the local population for swimming and diving, as there is a
path from the highway to the spring and a well-maintained rope swing on
the east side of the spring pool. The authors do not know if the run is
navigable from Mud River to the Spring.
JF did not see any snakes or alligators in the spring, but the remote
nature of the site suggests they might be there.
Personal Impressions
Salt Spring is a very lovely and pristine spring and well worth a look.
Nearby Springs
Weeki Wachee Spring
Twin Dees Spring
Mud River Spring
Jenkins Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
Anclote Key State Preserve
Withlacoochie State Forest
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge