Take a photo tour of Florida springs

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

Jennifer Bernatis, top, and Kristi Lee with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, inventory invertebrates at Rock Springs in Apopka.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

Swimmers enjoy the clear waters of De Leon Springs State Park.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

Dakota Bachtell, 13, from DeLand fishes at De Leon Springs State Park.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Swimmers play at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

One of many waterfalls is pictured at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon.

TOM BENITEZ / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Swimmers enjoy the 72 degree water of Juniper Springs. The swimming area is part of the Juniper Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Sunlight filters through the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Orlando Sentinel

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state?s best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

A snorkeler pushes a raft through the cool water at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

The revamped entrance at Silver Springs.

Tom Benitez / Orlando Sentinel

Scene from Manatee Springs State Park.

Stephen M. Dowell / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Kayakers Melinda Vasquez, rear left, Ellen Lewis, front left, and Wayne Lewis, right, enjoy the crystal clear waters at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Tubers ride the current of the crystal-clear waters at Rock Springs at Kelly Park.

Red Huber/Staff Photographer

Manatees find refuge in the warm waters of Blue Spring located at Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

Larry Gil of Daytona swims to the surface of the main spring at Salt Springs Recreational Area in the Ocala National Forest Friday. He is with his grand daughter for a week of camping for summer vacation. There are several springs in the Ocala Forest for people to enjoy.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Snorkelers enjoy the cool water at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

David Harden, Ocala, at rear of canoe, and Tom Harris, Ocala, try to get over a submerged log during the challenging canoe run at Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel

With a day off from work Tuesday, Christine Bryant,18, (left) of Orlando and her boyfriend Davis Harvey, 17, of Longwood and Dawn Locke, Harvey's mother of Longwood take advantage of the warm weather and float down Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park in Apopka.

Christine Baker / SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Canoers are gathered in heavy foliage at the start of the challenging canoe run at Juniper Springs State Park near Ocala.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

A view of overhanging trees as seen from the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

A serene scene at the end of the day at Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Orlando Sentinel File

Wakulla Springs State Park, near Tallahassee, offers glass-bottom boat rides.

MATTHEW BECK / Associated Press

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Park Ranger Ken Torres feeds two of the park's captive manatee slices of sweet potato as a treat for the upcoming holiday season in Homosassa. Rangers held an animal enrichment activity for many of the animals that reside at the park located north of Tampa. Some of the other animals fed natural treats Tuesday were the park's sibling black bear cubs, a pair of cougars, river otters and a number of Key deer. Rangers use the enrichment activities several times yearly to stimulate the animals.

Chris Livingston / NYT

Beth Ann Rutledge heads back to the surface of Ginnie Spring in High Springs. Visiting the freshwater springs of central Florida: abundant, clear, beautiful -- and maybe gator-free.

George Skene / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Wes Skiles, cavediver and underwater photographer enters an underwater cavern with his video camera at Ginnie Springs in north Florida.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Swimmers enjoy the cool waters at Rock Springs at Kelly Park.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

Nicole Elias snorkels with her mother Michaela Elias as they enjoy a day at Salt Springs in the Ocala National Forest. They are from Lady Lake in nearby Lake County. Salt Springs is slightly salty and runs out to Lake George which is part of the St. Johns River system.

Lisa Roberts / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Fall leaves accentuate the shoreline at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

Ned Johnson of Paddleboard Orlando paddles into Kings Bay, the head waters of the Crystal River, to watch manatees taking refuge in the warm waters of Three Sisters Springs.

Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel

Steam rises off the surface of Blue Spring run as Wayne Hartley, of the Save the Manatee Club conducts a manatee survey in 30-degree weather.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

A West Indian manatee rests in the warm waters of Three Sisters Springs in Kings Bay, the head waters of the Crystal River in Citrus County. The manatees seek refuge in the warm springs of Kings Bay in the winter months, where the water temperature remains 72 degree Fahrenheit year round.

Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel

Lynelle Kolk, 15, of Lakeland pauses for a moment among a rock formation while snorkeling down the crystal clear Rock Springs Run in Kelly Park in Apopka.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

Floating through the invisible water of the aquifer, Josh Dolan, cave diving instructor at Ginnie Springs north of Gainesville travels through the Devil's Eye into the Devil's Ear underwater cave system that goes under the Santa Fe River.

GARY BOGDON / ORLANDO SENTINEL

A chilly Sunday morning lured manatees inland to the warmth of springs. This one surfaces at Weeki Wachee Spring, an attraction about 50 miles north of Tampa.

Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel

Briana Atwell, 10, right, took time out from searching for minnows at Rock Spring Run to dump a bucket of crystal clear cool water on her brother Aiden Atwell, 6, as they enjoy family time at Kelly Park in Apopka.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

Cat Melnyk watches a manatee come up for air while paddle boarding in Three Sisters Springs with Paddleboard Orlando.

Pete Souza / Chicago Tribune

Manatees swim near a federal sanctuary in Crystal River, Florida. Blue paint on the manatee at left is from an apparent encounter with the bottom of a boat.

Phil Coale / Associated Press

Visitors to Wakulla Springs State Park pass by in a river tour boat as swimmer David DiDomenico dives into the Wakulla River in Wakulla Springs.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

A West Indian manatee rests in the warm waters of Three Sisters Springs in Kings Bay, the head waters of the Crystal River in Citrus County. The manatees seek refuge in the warm springs of Kings Bay in the winter months, where the water temperature remains 72 degree Fahrenheit year round.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Tubers ride the current of the crystal-clear waters at Rock Springs at Kelly Park.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Sunlight filters through the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Cypress trees frame theThe crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Orlando Sentinel

A curious manatee strikes a pose as itfinds a warmer water refuge at Blue Spring from the St. Johns River located in Orange City, Florida.

Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel

In 68 -72 degree water Thanh Trinh, center, left and his wife Huyen Nguyen, hat, float in tubes down Rock Springs at Kelly Park keeping cool from the extreme hot temperatures.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Jessica Gwin, 12, Silver Springs, plays beneath a stone bridge at Juniper Springs State Park near Ocala.

Stephen M. Dowell / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Rainbow Springs State Park

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

SHADES OF BLUE -- A view of the shaft opening of the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Swimmers play in the day use area at Alexander Springs state park in the Ocala National Forest.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

Kayakers, paddleboarders and snorkelers meander through Three Sisters Springs to watch West Indian manatees relaxing in the warm spring waters.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Members of a church group get ready for the challenging canoe run at Juniper Springs State Park.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Jessica Gwin, 12, left, and Katie Spicher, 12, both of Silver Springs, play in the crystal clear waters beneath a stone bridge at Juniper Springs.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

Dakota Bachtell, 13, from DeLand fishes at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Snorkelers enjoy the cool water at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Barbara V. Perez / Orlando Sentinel

Framed by trees is the spring pool swimming area in Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

Snorkelers swim amidst the manatees at Three Sisters Springs in Kings Bay, the head waters of the Crystal River in Citrus County. West Indian manatees seek refuge in the warm springs of Kings Bay in the winter months, where the water temperature remains 72 degree Fahrenheit year round.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

Two manatees play at Homosassa Springs as tourists look on.

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

Silver River at Silver Springs State Park.

GARY BOGDON / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Nicole Marino, 23, a mermaid in the show at the Weeki Wachee Spring attraction was getting in some early morning swimming practice before performances started. She is in the company of a group of manatees that visit the spring for its warmer waters during the winter month's. The attraction is located on State Road 50 and U. S. Highway 19, about 50 miles north of Tampa.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

SHADES OF BLUE -- Cypress trees frame theThe crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

The swimming area and the Rainbow River are pictured at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon on Friday.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Sunlight filters through the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Barbara V. Perez / Orlando Sentinel

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

The water is cool and inviting at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

Kayakers paddle through Silver Springs State Park.

Christine Baker / SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Red Huber/Staff Photographer

Manatees find refuge in the warm waters of Blue Spring located at Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida.

STEPHEN M. DOWELL / ORLANDO SENTINEL

The day use area can be used by campers at Juniper Springs State Park in the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Snorkelers enjoy the cool water at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Lisa Roberts / ORLANDO SENTINEL

Swimmers queue up to jump off a platform and into the water of Fanning Springs, protected by a state park. The spring water provides cool relief from summer heat.

JESSICA MANN / ORLANDO SENTINEL

The Sugar Mill Restaurant at De Leon Springs State Park, north of DeLand.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Joelie Bos, 8, visiting from Canada, enjoys the crystal-clear waters at Rock Springs at Kelly Park.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Despite reports of a recent alligator attack, the Drummond and Burroughs families, visiting from Melbourne, enjoy an afternoon of tubing at Blue Spring State Park, in Orange City.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

A scuba diver ascends at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Sam Filter plays with her two-year-old son Liam Filter at Alexander Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest.

JESSICA MANN / ORLANDO SENTINEL

George Skene / Orlando Sentinel

The show stage is far below the surface of Weeki Wachee Springs and the partially submerged auditorium is to the left.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Snorkelers enjoy the cool water at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

Chris Livingston / NYT

Cooling off in one of the Ichetucknee River's feeder springs in Fort White. Visiting the freshwater springs of central Florida: abundant, clear, beautiful -- and maybe gator-free.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Snorkelers swim at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.

BURT WINGFIELD / Associated Press

A Florida manatee swims with snorkelers, not shown, in the Homosassa River in Homosassa Springs.

Orlando Sentinel / Jim Abbott

Even on a cloudy day, there's an impressive view of Seminole Falls at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon.

Carrie Alexander / SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

A view of Silver Springs from the Lighthouse ride that rises 80 feet in the air and rotates for a panoramic view of the park.

Gary W. Green / Orlando Sentinel

Wekiwa Springs State Park: The park and adjoining conservation tracts contain the state's best bear habitat, a mosaic of scrub, swamp forest, hills and flatwoods. The park now covers 7,800 acres and is part of 440,000 acres of protected lands extending 25 miles along the Wekiva and St. Johns rivers and across the Ocala National Forest.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Blue gills school in the waning moments of daylight in the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Tom Benitez / Orlando Sentinel

Campers and day visitors enjoy the day at Juniper Springs.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

The famous glass-bottom boats sit docked at Silver Springs.

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

Kids peer into the clear waters at Rock Springs at Kelly Park.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

A view of the shaft opening of the crystalline waters of Blue Hole, about a 1/2 mile from the headwater spring of the Itchetucknee River, at Ichetucknee State Park near Fort White. Located in an ancient cypress flood plain, Blue Hole, flowing with an estimated 67 million gallons each day, is the largest of the 7 springs feeding into the river.

Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel

Kayakers paddle around the calm waters at Silver Springs.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Tubers head to the run at Blue Spring State Park, in Orange City.

George Skene, Orlando Sentinel

Weeki Wachee Springs features mermaid performances.

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel

Visitors to Blue Springs State Park snorkel at the spring head, while nearby officials from numerous water-quality regulatory agencies gathered to announce plans for improving the water flow from the magnitude 1 spring, located near Orange City.