The Problem With Recreational Impacts

The problem with recreational impacts is that they can harm the healthy ecosystems that exist in our springs. Ichetucknee, in particular, has had an ongoing problem with damage to the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) that is essential for spring health. Despite warning signs urging people to keep their feet off the bottom in the sensitive northern end of the river, the SAV has sustained so much damage that the Florida Park Service recently banned tubing on that section of the Ichetucknee (although people can still enjoy that part of the river from canoes and kayaks).

With an increasing population and the increasing popularity of our freshwater springs, we have to ask:  Could people be loving our springs to death?

For more information about tubing on the Ichetucknee, see:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ichetucknee-springs-state-park/tubing-information

In the image and video below, the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute provides excellent guidance about how to enjoy a spring without damaging its health.

Guidelines for avoiding damage to springs ecosystems

You may be interested in...

Jim Stevenson Interview, Part One

Interview Feature Jim Stevenson Interview, Part One Interviewer: Lucinda Faulkner Merritt Lucinda (L): I’m here today with Jim Stevenson, who has had a long and ...
Read More →

Why Bother to Save the Ichetucknee?

Saving the Ichetucknee Why Bother? by Lucinda Faulkner Merritt | SCIENTISTS TELL US that of all the spring run systems in Florida, the Ichetucknee may be ...
Read More →

River Calls Me [Gilchrist]

The River Calls Me by Hilda Gilchrist | “I WILL ARISE and go now” to where the healing waters flow, “And a small cabin build ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top