rainbow river-water clarity-34x34...contributes water to a spring. The Rainbow Springs springshed...
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301 41 27 44 MARION CITRUS LEVY Ocala Rainbow Springs Springshed MARION RI R R LEVY Oca 441 41 27 75 Rainbow River C CI I T TR R U US S Ra Ra Rain in inbo bo bow w w n n i e ver r Ri Rive ver Rainbow Springs Springshed Headspring Rainbow River in the Water Clarity Florida springs have some of the clearest water on earth. Clear water is essential to maintaining submerged aquatic vegetation — an important part of a healthy spring system. Water clarity in Rainbow River is best near the headsprings where visibility can be more than 225 feet. Downstream, water clarity decreases, which occurs in most rivers. What causes water clarity to change? The amount of groundwater discharging from the Rainbow Springs Group affects the river’s velocity — the speed at which water flows. The river’s velocity slows downstream reducing water clarity. Increased nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can also reduce water clarity. How can you help? A spring is only as healthy as its springshed — the area of land that contributes water to a spring. The Rainbow Springs springshed covers several hundred square miles and extends into three counties. Your actions within the springshed affect the water flowing from the spring. Follow these tips: • Conserve water • Always dispose of grass clippings, litter and pet waste properly • Never dump anything down a storm drain • Use fertilizer sparingly • Have septic tanks inspected every two to three years • Plant a buffer zone between the lawn and shoreline 44 44 Rainbow River - Upper Rainbow River - Middle Rainbow River - Lower WaterMatters.org/Springs
Transcript of rainbow river-water clarity-34x34...contributes water to a spring. The Rainbow Springs springshed...
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MARION
CITRUS
LEVY
Ocala
Rainbow SpringsSpringshed
MARIONRIRRLEVY
Oca
441
41 27 75
RainbowRiver
CCIITTRRUUSS
RaRaRainininbobobowwwnni everrRiRivever
RainbowSpringsSpringshed
Headspring
Rainbow Riverin the
WaterClarityFlorida springs have some of the
clearest water on earth. Clear water is
essential to maintaining submerged
aquatic vegetation — an important
part of a healthy spring system. Water
clarity in Rainbow River is best near
the headsprings where visibility can
be more than 225 feet. Downstream,
water clarity decreases, which occurs
in most rivers.
What causes water clarity to change?The amount of groundwater
discharging from the Rainbow
Springs Group affects the river’s
velocity — the speed at which water
flows. The river’s velocity slows
downstream reducing water clarity.
Increased nutrients, such as nitrogen
and phosphorus, can also reduce
water clarity.
How can you help?A spring is only as healthy as its
springshed — the area of land that
contributes water to a spring. The
Rainbow Springs springshed covers
several hundred square miles and
extends into three counties. Your
actions within the springshed affect
the water flowing from the spring.
Follow these tips:• Conserve water
• Always dispose of grass clippings,
litter and pet waste properly
• Never dump anything down a storm
drain
• Use fertilizer sparingly
• Have septic tanks inspected every
two to three years
• Plant a buffer zone between the
lawn and shoreline
4444
Rainbow River - Upper
Rainbow River - Middle
Rainbow River - Lower
WaterMatters.org/Springs
