The Homosassa River and its principle tributary, the Halls River are recognized as “Outstanding Florida Waters’ and thereby enjoy special protections. This river system is the outflow from one of Florida’s first-magnitude springs and is one of seven rivers in Citrus County. The spring water emerges at a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit, which provides year round water sports, outstanding fishing and annual large gatherings of Manatees. The area provides an excellent marked canoe trail with the narrow, undeveloped Halls River a particularly comfortable experience of a native Florida estuary. The protection of this habitat with its rare, ecologically important qualities is the mission of the Save Halls River Alliance.
FIRST MAGNITUDE SPRINGS OF FLORIDA
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS GROUP The Springs are located in the town of Homosassa Springs on the Homosassa River. From US-98 in Homosassa Springs, turn west on CR-490A, then south on access road to Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. Spring vent, through which all three vents issue, is just below the underwater viewing platform in the manatee rehabilitation area. Actual spring vents are within a cave system.
Group Description – Homosassa Springs Group forms the head of the Homosassa River, which flows west approximately six miles (10 km) to the Gulf of Mexico.
Downstream from the head springs about a mile, Halls River flows in from the north. The entire river system is tidally influenced. HOMOSASSA SPRINGS NOS. 1, 2, and 3 – All three vents issue out of the same spring pool. The pool measures 189 feet (58 m) north to south and 285 feet (89 m) east to west. Depth for each of the vents is 67, 65, and 62 feet (20.4, 19.8, and 18.8 m) for spring nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
The springs issue from a conical depressions with limestone outcropped Maximum (5/18/66) 197.0 ft³/s Minimum (7/8/64) 31.8 ft³/s 10/15/2001 53.0 ft³/s 5 along the sides and bottom of the spring pool. Pool is teeming with saltwater and freshwater fishes. Water is clear and light blue. There is a large boil in the center of the pool. Surrounding land is Gulf Coastal Lowlands with thick hardwood-palm forest cover. Approximately 1,000 feet (305 m) downstream, a fence spans across the river to keep boats out of the spring pool. Manatees frequent the spring pool and river year round, especially in winter. The springs are tidally influenced.
Utilization – The main spring pool and adjacent land are within Homosassa Spring State Wildlife Park. The area is developed into an interpretive center for manatee and Florida wildlife education. There is a floating observation deck in the spring pool with a downstairs aquatic observation room with glass windows. Injured and rehabilitating manatees are captive in the spring pool for year round observation. Swimming is not allowed. Discharge – The average discharge for Homosassa main spring from 1931 through 1974 (90 measurements) was 106 ft³/s (Rosenau et al., 1977). Current discharge estimate is provisional.
Information copied from: https://www.citrusbocc.com/plandev/landdev/community/springs-of-florida.pdf