The Magical Waters
Another reason the love Florida. The diversity of river and stream types makes exploring all the more tantalizing.
“ichetucknee Confluence” watercolor 18x24. Where the spring fed meets the blackwater stream.
Florida has a very diverse variety of landscapes. On first impression, you would think that it’s just flat and sandy, but there is a great selection of different soils, geology, topography, and plant life that create the conditions for a really interesting diversity of stream types.
Here in the peninsula as well as the panhandle, there are over 1,700 streams and more than a dozen major rivers. With rainfall totals at around 55-70” per year, that’s a lot of water to shed over the state. Some streams flow right at the soil’s surface, while some come straight up from underground. Some are flowing permeably through the sand both above and below, and some streams will flow on the surface only to drop underground and then pop back up farther downstream.
Florida’s streams fall into 4 categories in general: Alluvial, Blackwater, Seepage Streams, and Spring Fed Streams although you can see a variety of these stream types exhibited within an individual river.
“Fluvial” watercolor 18x24. A study of the patterns that form as water travels over the landscape.
Alluvial Streams
Alluvial streams exist in places where the sediment is primarily made up of clay. Because this clay is impervious to water, a stream will flow over the surface rather than infiltrating into the ground. These streams are turbid which means that they have a lot of sediment suspended in the water. This gives the water a brownish “coffee with cream” appearance with little to no clarity. These streams depend primarily on rainfall as the short term source of their flow and therefore water levels will vary greatly depending upon rainfall. The water is rich in minerals from the sediment in suspension. There is little to no sunlight penetration through the water so underwater plant growth is very limited. Along the banks and in calm areas you will find reeds and grasses and some floating plants. Life does flourish in alluvial systems as amphibians, fish, turtles, and birds find excellent nursery grounds in the calm areas as well as the flood plains of theses rivers.
Alluvial streams exist primarily in the panhandle of Florida with the Apalachicola River being the prime example.
“Fall Reflections” watercolor 10x14. In the waters of the swamp, decomposing vegetation in the water create a tannic “tea”.
Blackwater Streams
When a stream’s source water infuses with detritus (leaves, twigs, and other decomposing vegetation) it becomes “tannic” or tea or root beer colored. Nearly all of Florida’s streams and rivers exhibit this phenomenon, but not all of these streams are considered true “Blackwater” streams. True Blackwater streams are classified by otherwise clear streams that are tannic or tea colored, but not primarily spring fed. These Blackwater streams exist primarily in the panhandle and in northeast Florida. The Perdido, Blackwater, New, and Aucilla rivers are examples as well as the St. Mary’s and the St. John’s rivers. Because they emerge primarily from marshes, bogs, and swamps, the water is slow flowing and carries little sediment. The tannic water prevents a lot of sunlight penetration so underwater plant life is limited. Some vegetation does thrive along the banks of these streams and the list of animals that thrive in these streams is numerous and includes sunfish, bass, gar, shiners, various turtles including alligator snapping turtles, alligators, beavers, and otters!
Contemplating the tannic waters in the Green Swamp in Central Florida. This wetland is the headwaters for four major Florida rivers, the Peace, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha, and Hillsborough Rivers. These rivers are all examples of different stream types but they all exhibit tannic waters.
Seepage Streams
Another type of stream that is found here are Seepage Streams. These arise from groundwater that is seeping out through the sandy banks and hills found throughout the state. Some of these hills are ancient sand dunes once found along the coastline when sea levels were higher. Rainfall builds up freshwater aquifers inside these sand hills and then the water finds its way out through the lower parts of the dunes and percolates out forming seepage streams. The water in these streams is clear and cool with little suspended sediment. The bottom is sandy and the flow is usually pretty strong (for a Florida stream). These streams support some very intriguing and beautiful fish species that are specifically adapted to blend in with the sand bottom as well as the waters ripple patterns. Some species of Darters, Minnows, and Top Minnows that exist here are fascinating!
Another amazing and unique feature found in seepage streams are that in the places where the land starts to level out and there is full sun, carnivorous plants like the beautiful pitcher plant will thrive with the water fed by these streams.
Seepage Streams are found mainly in Northwest Florida and are important source water for the Suwannee, Choctawhachee, Ochlockonee, and Apalachicola Rivers.
“Bluegill Buddies” watercolor 6x9.
Many varieties of Bluegill, Sunfish, and Bream thrive in the various types of streams of Florida.
Spring Fed Streams
Florida has the highest concentration of large fresh water springs in the world. The limestone bedrock that lies just beneath the earths surface in Florida was created by marine animals over thousands of years as sea levels have risen and fallen. This limestone is largely submerged in fresh water that has seeped into the ground from rainfall. This slightly acidic water chemically erodes the limestone creating tubes, passageways and caves in a lattice that resembles the many holes in a sponge. Water moves through these passageways and flows from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure underground. When this underground water flow reaches a place where there is an opening in the earth’s surface, it flows out and a spring is formed!
The water that flows from a spring is typically very clear and holds a constant temperature of 68-74 degrees F. Spring fed streams usually feed into other rivers through their spring “runs” providing large volumes of their source water. Good examples of this include the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers. Some spring fed streams feed directly into salt water bodies. This is especially true along the Gulf Coast. Examples of this include the Weeki Wachee, Chassahowitzka, and Crystal River.
Because of the water clarity, constant water flow, and steady water temperature and chemistry, spring fed streams support a great abundance of life! A huge variety of underwater vegetation thrives in spring beds creating a solid ecological foundation for biodiversity. Tapegrass, Eelgrass, Pondweed, Ludwegia, Coontail, Stonewort and more give rise to over 100 species of snails and other invertebrates. A huge variety of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals rely on the springs health for their livelihood.
A great example of the abundant sub aquatic plant life that forms the foundation of the springs ecosystems.
Saltwater fish even like to enter the springs. Snook, Mullet, Snapper, Jack, and Sheepshead are common sights in the waters of spring fed streams. Fabulous examples of spring fed streams include the Rainbow River, Silver River, Crystal River, Wakulla River, and Wekiva River.
“Rainbow Dreams” acrylic painting 24x36.
The magical view underwater in the spring fed streams is unmatched.
The Suwannee, a river of multiple personalities
While these different stream types are categorized idealistically, Florida’s streams and rivers exhibit different examples of these stream types as they travel through the landscape. The Suwannee River is a great example of this. The river originates as a blackwater river flowing from the Okefenokee Swamp. Running 165 miles to the Gulf of Mexico, the river flows through 40’ high limestone banks, crosses numerous springs, develops rapids on limestone bedrock, and winds through massive floodplain forests. In the upstream portions the river is narrow and exhibits more of a Blackwater characteristic. As it flows downstream it picks up water from at least 50 springs, 9 of which are First Magnitude springs. This enables continuous water flow even during drought times with this clear spring water.
A view of one of the many springs along the Suwannee River that feed into its massive, consistent flow.
Farther downstream, tributaries such as the Alapaha and Withlacoochee Rivers bring in more mineral rich water thus increasing biodiversity. As the river widens farther downstream, minerals are deposited creating rich soils that allow even more plants and animal diversity. By the time the Suwannee reaches the Gulf, it is more like the Apalachicola in many respects with salt water flowing upstream with the tides.
The Suwannee is a truly amazing wonder.
Massive Cypress Trees along the lower portion of the Suwannee River.
Besides the obvious importance of Florida’s many streams and rivers to the web of life, its 1,700-odd streams offer unparalleled recreation opportunities. To see these places in the same way that humans experienced them thousands of years ago, floating downstream in a canoe or kayak is unforgettable.
To keep track of the health of streams, it has been customary to monitor the water’s chemistry. However the best indicator of the health of a stream system is the presence of healthy plants and animals.
“Naked Springs Run” Watercolor 10x14.
Sub-aquatic vegetation thrives in spring fed streams.
Florida is water. Water is life. The peninsula is covered with water with its lakes, streams, and wetlands. It is filled with water in its underground aquifers, and it is surrounded by water with its estuaries, bays, and oceans. It is essential that we understand these systems and keep them healthy.
It’s vital that the springs and the ecosystems supported by the springs are protected and restored. The Florida Springs Institute and the Florida Springs Council are doing effective work through education, research, and legal action to insure that the springs and aquifer are protected.
My mission through my artwork is to inspire people to care about these important, life giving ecosystems. I donate a portion of all of my sales to the Florida Springs Institute and the Florida Springs Council.
You can support me in this mission by purchasing my art on my website or, if you are local, check me out at one of my shows.
I currently have artwork on exhibit and available at Woodfield Fine Art Gallery in beautiful St. Petersburg, Fl.
From December 20th through early March 2021, I’ll have a specially curated collection of ocean themed acrylic paintings up on the walls at Overflow Brewing in St. Petersburg.
I will be at the Gulfport First Friday Art Walk on February 5th 2021 from 5-9pm. Lots of originals, prints, and more on display.
The Gulfport Fine Art Festival is February 13th-14th 2021 10am-5pm both Saturday and Sunday at Veterans Park in Gulfport.
The PAVA Cool Art shop/gallery in Dunedin, Fl. will have some new artwork of mine on display as well as gallery quality prints and greeting card packs. Find them at this location Wednesday through Friday 11-6 and Saturday 11-3.
And more to come in February and into the Spring!
Each month we will explore a new and exciting topic related to the amazing ecosystems of Florida! Stay tuned for next month’s blog as we will dive into another fascinating jewel!