About the Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve
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Jeff Sowards - Jeff.Sowards@dep.state.fl.us
19152 SW 81 Place Road
Dunnellon, FL 34432
(352) 465-8565
The Rainbow Springs run is one of the largest spring runs in the world. It averages a discharge of
over 400 million gallons of water per day. The run is 5.7 miles long and joins the Withlacoochee
River which is a black water river, near the town of Dunnellon. Unlike most other major spring
runs in Florida the spring discharge comes from several vents that are scattered over the first
mile and a half of the run. It is characterized by a high level of submersed aquatic plants. Ribbon
or tape like plants are the most common.
Its waters have an average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Because of this and the high water quality,
it is a very popular recreational destination.
Established as an Aquatic Preserve by the Florida Legislature in 1986; Florida Statute 258.39 (32)
Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve is located in southwestern Marion County, it is near the town of
Dunnellon. Highways US 40 and SR 484 run west from I-75 to the Rainbow River area. US 41 transverses
north and south, just to the west of the river.
The river and preserve is 5.7 miles in length and approximately 150
submerged acres. The river run
is only about 150 feet in width with an average depth of less than ten feet.
The Rainbow River and spring system has its own watershed and recharge area. In terms of the
National listing of watersheds it is found in the larger Withlacoochee River watershed.
The habitat of this river is dominated by submersed plant communities common to spring runs. Other
disturbed habitats or areas dominated by the exotic species Hydrilla are also common.
The Rainbow River spring run is one of the largest in the state of Florida. It is an excellent
example of this type of system. However it is also being significantly altered by the exotic
plant Hydrilla. Increases in the levels of nutrients coming from the springs may also
potentially impact the communities of plants and algae in the river. This last issue is currently
being investigated.
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
State |
Federal |
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Reptiles |
|
|
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| American alligator |
Alligator mississipiensis |
SSC |
T (s/a) |
| |
|
|
|
Birds |
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|
|
| limpkin |
Aramus guarauna |
SSC |
n/a |
| little blue heron |
Egretta caelulea |
SSC |
n/a |
| snowy egret |
Egretta thula |
SSC |
n/a |
| tricolor heron |
Egretta tricolor |
SSC |
n/a |
| bald eagle |
Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
T |
E |
| wood stork |
Mycteria americana |
E |
E |
| |
|
|
|
Plants |
|
|
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| cardinal flower |
Lobelia cardinalis |
T |
n/a |
State listings are taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or as with
plants, Florida Department of Agriculture. Federal listings are taken from the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service. E= Endangered; T= Threatened; T (s/a)= Threatened due to
similarity in appearance; SSC= Species of Special Concern; UR= Under review; n/a= information
not available or no designation listed
Rainbow Springs is one of Florida's first magnitude springs.
none
The Rainbow River portion is a very popular recreational destination. It is readily accessible
through the Rainbow Springs
State Park, which surrounds the preserve, as
well as a public boat ramp at KP Hole County Park. Tubing, boating,
fishing and swimming are some of the common activities. It however has an idle speed boating
restriction, and a prohibition on disposable containers.
The Rainbow River was designated as an Aquatic Preserve in 1986. It is sovereign submerged
state-owned land. The current designated manager is Jeff Sowards. Contact information is listed
above.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve Management
Plan (draft).
Southwest Florida Water Management District; 1994. Rainbow River Surface Water Improvement
and Management (SWIM) Plan.
Southwest Florida Water Management District; 1991. Diagnostic Studies of the Rainbow River.
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2012 State of Florida