When a Spring Sucks

I spent this weekend in one of my favorite Florida destinations, White Springs, a quiet hamlet along the Suwannee River and home to the first ever Florida Hiking Festival (March 28-30). It was a volunteer orientation for the folks who will be leading hikes and paddling trips, and a beautiful weekend once the rains passed by on Friday night. Heavy rains meant heavy water, so the river was rising and the falls and shoals were full. One surprise was White Sulphur Springs - found right behind the Nature & Heritage Tourism Center and right at the entrance to Stephen Foster Folk Culture State Park - was running backwards. In geologic terms, it’s called an “estavelle.” The spring ceases pushing out water and starts sucking it into the aquifer, and that’s what was happening inside the spring house, with a tremendous roar and foam. Thanks to Edwin McCook for encouraging our group to go and see it!