Revision 6/06/2013 7:06 AM by Greg
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Cypress Spring
 Vernon, FL 32462
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Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m
Average Viz: 91-100ft/28-30m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
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Spring: 66-70°F/19-21°C
Summer: 66-70°F/19-21°C
Fall: 66-70°F/19-21°C
Winter: 66-70°F/19-21°C
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Cypress Spring is privately owned by the Nestle company. If you are drinking ZephyrHills or similar bottled water it probably came from this spring. Do NOT go ashore. You will need a boat. Anything from a canoe to a johnboat will do fine but bigger vessels may run aground at the head of the spring run if the water is low. You must launch at a ramp on Holmes Creek several miles downstream and paddle upstream to reach the spring. Some parts of the river are very shallow. The journey is worth the paddle. This is a really beautiful and fun spring but it can get crowded in the summer. Go early.
The Cypress Spring pool is roughly circular, measuring 114 ft north to south and 132 ft east to west. The main vent is near the center of the pool with a depth of 26 ft. At least one other vent is present just 30 ft downstream. The spring occupies a conical depression, and limestone is exposed over much of the bottom with areas of sand. The water is clear and has a light blue color and a large boil is directly over the vent. There are a few small patches of native aquatic grasses and small amounts of algae. The spring run flows south approximately 1,400 ft into Holmes Creek. The run is swift-flowing and shallow, averaging approximately 2 ft deep, and it often is wider than the spring pool. A semicircular berm was constructed around the northern half of Cypress Springs in order to divert the flow of Piney Woods Spring Run downstream of Cypress Springs’ pool for aesthetic purposes.
Before the berm existed, Piney Woods Spring Run entered the northwest side of the spring pool. Now, it enters approximately 30 ft below on the west side through a culvert. There are wooden entry platforms for divers and swimmers on the northwest side of the pool. The nearest high ground is 450 ft to the west and it rises steeply to approximately 25 ft above the lowlands.
A privately-owned swimming and diving recreation area including a residence are to the west. Cypress Springs is located within the lowland floodplain of Holmes Creek. The surroundings are heavily forested with cypress and tupelo. Cave divers report that the cave system
reaches depths of at least 65 ft.
Previously a private diving/swimming concession, the spring is reportedly in the process of changing ownership in 2004.
Directions / Usage:
Cypress Spring is surrounded by private property approximately 3.5 miles northeast of Vernon. From the intersection of SR 79 and SR 277 in Vernon turn east then northeast on SR 277. Drive 2.2 miles to Culpepper Lane. Turn northwest (left) on Culpepper Lane and go 0.3 miles to Big Pine Lane. Turn northwest (left) and go 0.2 miles to the boat landing. The spring can be accessed by boat. From the Big Pine Lane boat ramp, Cypress Spring run enters Holmes Creek from the northwest approximately 0.5 miles upstream.