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Revision 7/20/2016 10:26 PM by SantaFeSandy
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Telford Spring - Mayo FL


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Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.

Telford Spring is located on the west bank of the Suwannee River, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Mayo. The spring is surrounded by private land but was open to the public in April 2002. From the intersection of US 27 and SR 51 in Mayo, drive north on SR 51 for 4.8 miles (7.7 km), crossing over the Suwannee River, and turn east (right) at the flashing lights at Luraville Road in Luraville. From Luraville, turn south (right) onto the first graded road and travel 0.9 miles (1.5 km) to a fork in the road, just before the river. At the fork, turn right and travel 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to the spring. The left fork leads to the boat launching ramp.

Description – Telford Spring is situated along the east side of the Suwannee River at the head of a cove surrounded by steep sandy banks. The spring emerges from two caves within scalloped limestone whose passages connect underneath a 5 ft (1.5 m) by 7 ft (2.1 m) wide natural limestone bridge. The natural bridge over the spring was about 1 ft (0.3 m) higher than water level in April 2002. The main pool measures 66 ft (20.1 m) north to south and 51 ft (15.5 m) east to west and has a prominent boil. The maximum depth of the spring pool is 11.3 ft (3.4 m) over the vent. The spring and its run have a sand and limestone bottom. The water color is greenish and clear. Algae are sparse and there is virtually no aquatic vegetation. The short, shallow, 1 ft (0.3 m), spring run flows approximately 75 ft (22.9 m) into the dark, tannic waters of the Suwannee River. Land on the 12-15 ft (3.7-4.6 m) high, eroded banks supports a dense mixed hardwood/pine forest and there is a large unpaved parking area around the perimeter of the spring pool. A sinkhole with a clear water pool is located 150 ft (45.7 m) north of the spring across the sand access road. Spring water levels are directly tied to Suwannee River fluctuations.

Utilization - Telford Spring is surrounded by private lands and is a heavily used local recreation area.