Florida Geologic Survey (FGS) - Springs Protection Areas

The Florida Springs Protection Areas map was created by the Florida Geological Survey (FGS), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) at the request of the Florida Department of Community Affairs. The purpose of the map is to identify areas that contribute flow to Florida springs and to provide a published resource for land use decision-makers as they work to protect and restore both the quantity and quality of water discharging from Florida's springs. A springshed is defined as "those areas of surface water and ground-water basins that contribute to the discharge of the spring." (Copeland, 2003). To delineate a springshed or a spring protection area one must have an understanding of the hydrogeology of the study area, potentiometric surface maps, knowledge of internally drained areas and conduit connections. Consideration should be given to aquifer recharge, aquifer vulnerability and the uncertainty in the data. Expert knowledge should be used to refine the delineated protection area boundaries where appropriate. Current and future research will improve our understanding of springsheds/protection areas and their boundaries; as a result the Florida Springs Protection Areas map will be periodically updated. Please reference metadata for contact information.